By Sarina Trangle
State Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth) triumphed in her first competitive primary Tuesday, according to preliminary results from the Associated Press.
Markey seized 75 percent of the votes, compared to her challenger, Dmytro Fedkowskyj, who won 25 percent with all the precincts reporting, according to the AP.
The 16-year incumbent is all but guaranteed a ninth term representing the 30th Assembly District, which includes Maspeth, Woodside and parts of Astoria, Long Island City, Middle Village and Sunnyside, because no major political parties with ballot line status are running candidates against her. An independent candidate could challenge her in the Nov. 4 election
Tuesday marked Community Board 5 member Fedkowskyj’s first political foray.
Fedkowskyj initially touted his collaborative work on the city Panel for Educational Policy and District 24 City Education Council. But late in the campaign he said Markey had grown complacent and failed to have a real presence in the communities she represents.
Markey’s team countered that Fedkowskyj seemed unfamiliar with the boundaries of the district by accusing her of staying silent on issues in schools outside the 30th Assembly District.
Her campaign emphasized the experience they say helped her ascend to sit on the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee and serve as chairwoman of the chamber’s Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development.
Her spokesman, Michael Armstrong, said her role on the Ways and Means Committee gave her a seat at the table during budget negotiations with the governor and helped her secure funding for local groups and initiatives that other legislators struggled to access.
She enjoyed the backing of the Queens Democratic Party, several elected officials and a slew of unions, from the New York State United Teachers to the Service Employees International Union’s local United Health Care Workers East chapter and local 32BJ building service chapter.
Fedkowskyj was endorsed by city Fire Marshals Benevolent Association, National Latino Officers Association, CEC leaders and the Kids Political Action Committee comprised of public school parents.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.
