Primary Endorsements 2006
Gazette Endorses Spitzer, Clinton In Primary Elections

Eliot Spitzer is the Queens Gazette's clear and outstanding choice for the Democratic Party nomination for governor in next Tuesday's primary elections.

The present state attorney general stands head and shoulders above his opponent, Thomas Suozzi, the county executive of Nassau County.

Spitzer, over the past eight years, has revolutionized the office of the state's chief law enforcement official. Spitzer's accomplishments at its helm have been historic, not only in comparison to previous holders of that job, but judged solely on their merit.

The best example of the way he operates is his successes in reining in the abuses perpetrated by the titans of Wall Street, some of the most powerful men in the nation, and some of whom were shamelessly filling their pockets from their companies' profits at the direct expense of their stockholders.

Spitzer's successful prosecutions in these cases set new precedents and established the attorney general as a fearless and independent public official who deserves the opportunity to run for the state's most powerful office and to serve the people of New York.

In his campaigning thus far he has spoken out forcefully on some of the state's most cogent issues, giving a most reassuring sign that he will continue his independent and outspoken approach when governing all of New York state.

The Gazette unhesitatingly and wholeheartedly endorses Eliot Spitzer in next Tuesday's election and urges voters to cast their ballots for him.

The Gazette also makes the following endorsements in the other contests on the ballot:

U.S. SENATOR:

In the Democratic primary for this office, the Gazette urgers voters to support incumbent Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for a second six-year term. During her first term in that office, Clinton has been diligent and forceful in proposing and supporting legislation to benefit this state.

In the Republican primary to choose that party's candidate for U.S. Senator, the Gazette urges Republican voters to support Kathleen Troia (K.T.) McFarland over John Spencer.

McFarland, who worked in the Reagan presidential administration has laid out a more meaningful set of campaign issues than Spencer, the former mayor of Yonkers.

ATTORNEY GENERAL:

After long consideration

of the candidacies of Andrew Cuomo and Mark Green for the Democratic nomination for state attorney general, the Gazette will not make an endorsement in this contest. Either one would be a good choice for the post and will do a creditable job.

Both are attorneys who have had administrative experience, Cuomo as head of the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency in the Clinton Administration, and Green as New York City Public Advocate and Commissioner of Consumer Affairs.

Cuomo has the support of the state Democratic organization and has been the frontrunner in the campaign, but Green, as his principal opponent, has waged a tough campaign and lately has made the race a closer contest.

The Gazette feels both are capable of carring out the duties of New York State attorney general in exemplary fashion if elected.

STATE SENATE:

In the 13thDistrict

(Jackson Heights/Corona/East Elmhurst), the Gazette endorses incumbent state Senator John Sabini for the Democratic nomination to seek re-election.

Our choice of Sabini is based on his total experience, not only as a state senator, but also as a City Councilmember representing the same area and previously as a Democratic District Leader and community activist. In all these positions, Sabini has served the various constituencies that comprise the 13th District, and has served them well.

City Councilmember Hiram Monserrate, Sabini's opponent in the primary, has performed well as a councilmember, but Sabini deserves another term because he has already started to lay the foundation to make progress in the senate. The Gazette strongly urges a vote for Sabini.

STATE SENATE:

Shirley Huntley, president

of Community Education Council 28 in Forest Hills, deserves the support of Democratic voters in the 10th state senate district covering Jamaica and Ozone Park.

ASSEMBLY:

(22nd AD) In the race for

a successor to Jimmy Meng in the 22nd Assembly District (Flushing), the Gazette endorses Ellen Young as the Democratic candidate. Young is part of the new constituency that has become the driving force in that area in recent years which has worked with other groups to spark much-needed major changes in the district.

Young has a worthy opponent in Julia Harrison, who previously served the district well as Assembly and City Council representative, but Young is the more appropriate choice at this time.

25TH AD:

Further east in Flushing in

the 25th Assembly District, Rory Lancman is the Gazette's choice for Democratic nominee in the contest to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Assemblymember Brian McLaughlin.

Lancman is presently Democratic District Leader in part of the district and brings with him valuable experience in dealing with community concerns. The Gazette prefers him over his opponent, Morshad Alam.

39TH AD:

Incumbent Assemblymember

Jose Peralta is the Gazette's choice for the Democratic candidate to run for re-election in the district covering Corona and parts of adjacent areas.

In his first term, Peralta has shown an awareness of the area's needs and has worked to provide them with solutions. He deserves reelection.

28TH AD:

In this district, (Rego

Park/Forest Hills) Republican Party voters have an opportunity to select a candidate to challenge the Democratic incumbent, Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi. The Gazette endorses Dolores Maddis as the candidate over Walter F. Schmidt.

Maddis, the choice of the Queens Republican organization, has been active in the Forest Hills Community and Civic Association and has been otherwise involved in civic concerns in the area.

Primary Elections are on Tuesday September 12. As usual, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the state.