By Alex Robinson
The Democratic primary between state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and former city Comptroller John Liu has not only been one of the most closely watched races of the year, but one of the most contentious.
The two candidates for District 11 have not shied away from slinging mud at each other by engaging in a heated war of words in the weeks leading up to the Sept. 9 primary.
Liu has consistently lambasted Avella for defecting to the Independent Democratic Conference, which shares power in the Senate with the GOP.
The former comptroller criticized the coalition, claiming it has effectively blocked progressive legislation, such as raising the minimum wage, the Dream Act and the Women’s Equality Act.
Avella said he left the mainline Democrats and entered the IDC because the regular Democrats were dysfunctional and membership in the breakaway group of senators would allow him to pass legislation and bring back more funding for the district.
The incumbent has attacked Liu for $500,000 in unpaid fines from illegal posters in his 2009 comptroller campaign.
Liu has claimed these fines were unfair and were the result of meddling by the Bloomberg administration.
The Queens Democratic Party courted Liu to take on Avella after his defection, following rumors the former comptroller might run for Congress.
Liu quickly attracted endorsements from a number of unions and many Queens elected officials, including U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-Flushing), Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), who heads the Queens Democratic Party, and Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica).
Facing tough primaries, the IDC agreed to form a new coalition with the Senate’s Democrats in June.
Democrats subsequently withdrew primary challenges to other IDC members, but the Queens Democratic Party and Liu’s campaign soldiered on despite the deal.
Avella has since received endorsements from unions, environmental groups and powerful Democrats, including Mayor Bill de Blasio and Rep. Steve Israel (D-Melville).
The Working Families Party, which originally endorsed Liu, withdrew their support once the new deal was reached, deciding to stay neutral in the race.
Liu has far outraised Avella, garnering more than $700,000 to the incumbent’s $230,000, according to state campaign finance filings.
The two candidates’ positions on most policy issues are identical, except for when it comes to standardized tests in the city’s specialized high schools.
Liu, a graduate of Bronx Science HS, supports broadening the criteria for admissions to the schools, whereas Avella has stated he supports the test as is.
The Asian community, where Liu’s fund-raising and support base has been centered in past campaigns, makes up 33 percent of District 11, according to census data.
The district is 44 percent white and includes Bayside, Whitestone, College Point, Bay Terrace, Douglaston, Hollis Hills and part of Flushing.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
