By Sarina Trangle
The majority of Queens’ state and federal legislators do not face a challenger this Election Day, but the redistricting process that culls candidates is on the ballot.
The first of three referendums asks voters to sign off changing the makeup of a group charged with using census data to propose new state and federal legislative districts. Ultimately, lawmakers and the governor have the final say.
Albany currently convenes a task force of four lawmakers and two non-legislators selected by majority and minority state Senate and Assembly leaders to draw up plans.
If the referendum passes, a 10-member panel of non-legislators appointed by both chambers’ leaders would tweak the proposed lines every decade, beginning in 2020.
The other referendums involve allowing digital distribution of bills to satisfy the requirement that legislators see them three days before votes and authorizing up to $2 billion in bonds for school technology and facilities.
Five state legislators from the borough will face opponents.
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) is up against the Green Party’s Paul Gilman, who previously described his main policy priority as legalizing marijuana.
Democratic Senate Deputy Minority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) will face StopCommonCore’s Anthony Aldorasi, a former IS 141 principal.
Michael Conigliaro, a Rego Park resident and real estate law firm office manager, has the Republican and Conservative parties’ backing in his bid against state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach).
State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Ridgewood) will vie with a Libertarian candidate for her western Queens district. Her opponent, John Kevin Wilson, describes himself as a neophyte disgruntled with Albany and the incumbent on his website. And Flushing businessman Philip Gim has staked out the GOP line in his bid to oust state Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Flushing).
All but one of Queens’ congressional representatives have challengers.
U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Melville) is up against Grant Lally, a lawyer and candidate for the GOP and Conservative/Libertarian lines.
Allen Steinhardt, a Rockaway Park resident and construction contractor, created a party called Allen 4 Congress to challenge U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Far Rockaway).
U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) faces the Conservative Party’s Elizabeth Perri, a frequent candidate for office from the Bronx.
Nick Di Iorio, a former financial contractor for Pfizer who has considered taking his campaign to the realty T.V. industry, will contend with U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria). Di Iorio is running on the GOP, Conservative and Independence party tickets.
U.S. Reps. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn), whose districts dip into western Queens, have opponents as well.
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) is running unopposed.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com
