By Karen Frantz
State Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) said at a harvest season celebration at his Fresh Meadows home Sunday he will not make a final decision about a potential future run for another New York government office until the end of the current election cycle.
“I strongly believe in one election at a time,” he said at the open house, which was attended by many of his volunteers and incorporated aspects of the week-long Jewish festival of Sukkot. “There’s an election on Nov. 6 and after that I’ll decide what to do.”
He said many people are buzzing about the City Council seat in the 24th District, which will be open in the November 2013 elections when the current councilman, James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), meets the three-term limit. The 24th District encompasses Briarwood, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Hillcrest Estates, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens Hills, Utopia Estates and parts of Forest Hills, Flushing, Jamaica and Rego Park.
“I’m definitely not making a final decision on that until this election cycle is over,” Lancman said. “But that will be soon enough.”
In June, the assemblyman lost his bid for Congress, having been defeated by Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) in the Democratic primaries. He decided not to seek re-election for his Assembly seat after the loss.
Lancman said in the meantime his seat in the Assembly ends Dec. 31 and he will continue on with his law practice at least for the next year.
“I have always maintained a law practice because I never wanted to be completely dependent on my political job because I’ve seen where that sometimes leads people to compromise their independence,” he said.
He also said his family was looking forward to having him home more and he is welcoming a break from traveling back and forth to Albany.
Attendees at the celebration seemed cheerful, if a little cold, at the event held in Lancman’s backyard. Guests and volunteers were treated to apples dipped in honey and apple cider in a Sukkah, a temporary hut traditionally constructed for Sukkot.
Lancman said through the years he has sometimes held celebrations in the Sukkah, which he puts together with his family. This year he said he decided to combine the festivities with a party for his volunteers. A number of people braved the cold to come out, including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, he said.
Reach reporter Karen Frantz by e-mail at kfrantz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
