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Avella drops out of race for borough president

Avella drops out of race for borough president
Photo by Christina Santucci
By Joe Anuta

In an unexpected move,.State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) dropped out of the race for Queens borough president Wednesday.

“After much thought and consideration, I have decided to withdraw from the Queens borough president race. This was certainly not an easy decision, and I am eternally grateful for the overwhelming amount of support I received from people throughout Queens,” he said. “Queens is my home borough and I will never stop fighting and advocating for all residents of Queens. Yet, at this time, I believe I can best serve the people of Queens by remaining a state senator.”

Avella’s exit whittles the Democratic field down to two competitors: former state Assemblywoman Melinda Katz and City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria).

Political observers had predicted Avella and Vallone would be competing for votes in the Sept. 10 primary, meaning that the senator’s withdrawal bodes well for the councilman’s campaign.

Vallone frequently sparred with Avella at candidate forums and in the press, but after the announcement, he offered praise for the senator.

“Despite our disagreements, Tony is a hard worker and we see eye to eye on a lot of issues,” Vallone’s campaign said in a statement. “I look forward to working with him and his constituents.”

Katz also had kind words for Avella, though the race is now more competitive with just her and Vallone left to duke it out.

“His presence in this race brought the focus to real issues facing voters around our borough, including education, affordable housing, and better health care for all Queens residents,” she said in a statement.

But following the niceties, the former councilwoman sought to put distance between herself and her lone competitor.

“For my part, I will spend the next 27 days continuing to spread the word about the clear choice facing voters in this race — between my progressive plan for better health care and high-paying jobs in Queens, and Peter Vallone’s extreme, Conservative Party-backed views on core issues like women’s health care and marriage equality.”

Vallone’s camp responded in kind to Katz.

“The only real choice facing voters is Vallone’s plan for a safer and more prosperous borough and Melinda Katz’s plan to turn it into Manhattan by selling out to her developer friends,” said spokesman Andrew Moesel.

Avella is the third Democrat to drop out of the race. Director of Community Board Barry Grodenchick, state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) and City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) have all bowed out.

The winner of the primary will face Republican Tony Arcabascio in November.

Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.