Wanted: Republican Candidates in QUEENS Assembly Districts - Vol. 1

New York is a blue state and the City of New York is certainly a strong royal blue with an average 5-1 ratio of Democrats to Republicans. Not one of the sixty-five Assembly Districts that make up New York City has a republican majority in voter registration! This is clearly evident in the ratio of elected officials we have. Right now, there are only two Assemblymen out of the sixty-five that represent the five boroughs. For a strong minority voice for fiscal discipline and government reform, we should have about ten or eleven assembly seats.

It is possible to win some districts, even if the ratio is always favoring Democrats. Voters do cross party lines. We've seen it for citywide and statewide races. It's a challenge to convince someone to cross parties for a local race, but it is possible. Secure your republican base first, then reach out to the middle-of-the-road voters who will cross parties at the polls.

So, if you're a registered republican interested in running for office and live in one of the following districts, now is the time to approach your county committee and start organizing a campaign for November 2006.

QUEENS
There are 17 Assembly Districts in Queens.

District 23.
Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pfeffer
The Rockaway/Ozone Park area of Queens has a ratio of 2.8 Democrats to 1 Republican. The Republican Club you can contact is the Rockaway Republican Club. I'm familiar with some of the party leaders in the area and they will certainly bend over backwards to get you elected.

District 24.
Assemblymen Mark Weprin
The Little Neck, Bellrose, Glen Oaks, Oakland Gardens Fresh Meadows district has a has a ratio of 3.2 Democrats to 1 Republican. Challenging Mr. Weprin will be a big challenge, because his brother, David Weprin, is City Councilor for the area. Residents who aren't politically minded may think the Weprin brothers are one and the same. The Republican Club organization to contact would be the Queens Village Republican Club. The Club also would be the direct contact organization if you wish to run in the 33 AD.

District 25.
Assemblymen Brian M. McLaughlin
This Auburndale, Hillcrest, Utopia, Jamaica Estates district, like the 24 AD, has a ratio of 3.2 Democrats to 1 Republican. Republican candidates should be running on a reform agenda. 2006 could likely bring a Democratic controlled state. Assembly, Senate and Governorship. One-Party rule that can spend and bankrupt the state is not a good outlook. Someone who can voice opposition to Shelly Silver will be important.

District 26.
Assemblywoman Ann Margaret Carrozza
This Douglaston, Bayside, Bay Terrace, Beechhurst district has a ratio of 2.3 Democrats to 1 Republican. Republicans can't get a better voter ratio than this. Ms. Carrozza had a rough reelection in 2004 with challenger Peter Boudouvas, however, with strong opposition against the president, she was able to win. This year is a mid-term election. No president and Gov. Pataki won't be seeking reelection. Strong reform-minded Republicans in William Weld and Patrick Manning are seeking the governorship. The local organization to contact would be the Northeast Queens Republican Club, once known as the Bayside Republican Club.

District 27.
Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn
This College Point, Corona, Kew Garden Hills, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills district has a ratio of 3.7 Democrats to 1 Republican. The odds against a Republican are greater, but when districts are below the 5-1 average, you have to have hope. What becomes important is party organization and party support. If the support is out there for your campaign, you have a chance to get your message out.

District 38.
Assemblyman Anthony S. Seminerio
This South Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Ridgewood district has a ratio of 2.7 Democrats to 1 Republican. Republicans should seriously consider running a strong candidate and not a token candidate for the ballot. When you have these types of odds, you can potentially surprise the media and certainly the Democratic Party. With such good odds, you should contact the South Queens Republican Club. SQR would also be a organizational contact if you live in the 31 AD or 32 AD.

Two other districts have modest odds for Republican Candidates. District 36 has a ratio of 4.2 Democrats to 1 Republican and District 37 has a ratio of 4.7 Democrats to 1 Republican. Winning in these areas may not seem likely, but if a well financed and well run campaign could surprise the nay-sayers. With more young professionals moving to the Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights neighborhoods of Queens could bring more republicans into the areas.

The ratios I've presented are taken from the Grassroots Initiative study done on county committees (which I've written about before) and unfortunately Districts 28 thru 34 did not have republican committee information listed with the Board of Elections. The Queens county committee should work on providing the necessary information to the BOE and from there, work on building a base in the neighborhoods seven districts represent.

For a list of other Republican Clubs in Queens (and other parts of New York City, you can find them at Urban Elephants Club page. Find the nearest organization to where you live.

***Coming up***
Vol 2 - The Bronx & Staten Island Districts