Barbs flew from candidates and from the press this week in the 6th Congressional District primary race.
The New York Daily News reported that Assemblyman Rory Lancman and Assemblywoman Grace Meng have missed more than 75 percent of State Assembly votes since they joined in the race for Congress.
The paper also noted the two had previously attended more than 90 percent of the legislative body’s votes.
On the other hand, The News reported, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley had not missed a vote in the city since March 22, despite being criticized by her opponents’ campaigns for her tardiness at debates.
Lancman also dug into Crowley and Meng on Tuesday at a press conference where he accused them of not having a viable plan to save Social Security.
Lancman has said his solution for solvency is doing away with an exemption for Social Security taxes paid on an individual’s income over $110,600.
“Our seniors, and those who will soon become seniors, deserve more than a head-in-the-sand approach to Social Security from their member of Congress,” Lancman said. “The challenge facing Social Security is immediate and severe, and so far I’m the only candidate in this race that has offered a real plan to save Social Security without reducing benefits, raising the retirement age or privatizing Social Security altogether.”
Meanwhile, at the same time as Lancman’s rally, Crowley received another endorsement from first responders.
On Tuesday, she stood outside Elmhurst Station 46 at Elmhurst Hospital where the Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Fire Inspectors FDNY Local 2507 and the Uniformed EMS Officers Union Local 3621 endorsed her.
“Elizabeth Crowley has a long history of fighting for the FDNY EMS service and for the public safety of all New Yorkers,” said Local 3621 President Vincent Variale.
Crowley is chair of the Fire and Criminal Justice Committee on the Council.
“I’m honored to have the support of so many of our City’s first responders,” she said. “Our EMT and EMS workforce rush to emergencies to help keep us safe. In Washington, my top focus will be getting our economy back on track, hiring more first responders, and always ensuring our public safety is protected.”
Meng too picked up another endorsement.
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Leadership Political Action Committee backs her.
Meng, Lancman and Crowley, and Dr. Robert Mitmann—a doctor from Bayside—are competing in a four-way Democratic primary in the 6th District. The vote will be on June 26.
The winner will take on Councilman Dan Halloran in November.
By Jeremiah Dobruck
