Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz, left, celebrated her victory with Queens Borough President-elect Melinda Katz in Forest Hills Tuesday night. Anna Gustafson/The Forum Newsgroup
In what amounted to a landslide, incumbent City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) handily defeated independent newcomer Jon Torodash by a whopping 91.4 percent to 8.6 percent on Tuesday to keep her seat in Council District 29, according to unofficial election results.
Following the election, Koslowitz thanked voters for their support and ushering her back into the seat that covers Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens and parts of Maspeth, Richmond Hill, and Elmhurst.
“I am very grateful to the voters for giving me the opportunity to serve another term. The constituents are my bosses, and I will be working hard for them,” Koslowitz said. “I look forward to working with the new administration to advocate for issues that are important in my district.”
Koslowitz, who has been a strong advocate on behalf of seniors, women, and families, has a long record of public service that spans nearly three decades.
Prior to her election in 2009, Koslowitz served as deputy borough president under Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, where she oversaw constituent services and presided over the borough’s 14 community boards.
In addition, Koslowitz first served in the City Council from 1991 to 2001. She currently chairs the Committee on Economic Development, where she leads the council’s effort to bolster economic growth, create jobs and improve quality of life.
She is also a member of key council committees including Consumer Affairs, Education, Finance and Standards & Ethics.
Koslowitz’s challenger, Torodash, a software developer, said he was motivated to run for the Council due to the “the continual decline in the quality of life in Queens demands that people take a stand.” He cited examples including unreliable buses, school overcrowding and neglected parks.
He added that “extremists in the City Council seem to have no idea what they’re doing with regards to public safety and economic measures that threaten our desirable communities.”
Prior to the election, Torodash derided Koslowitz on her record.
“After a combined total of 14 years as Councilwoman, Ms. Koslowitz has few if any significant accomplishments to speak of aside from pulling in discretionary money from the speaker,” Torodash said.
But, following the election, Torodash took a somewhat more conciliatory approach, saying, “My sentiments are the same: I wish Ms. Koslowitz the best in carrying out her next term in the district.”
Koslowitz, who began her political career as a legislative aide for then-Congressman Gary Ackerman in 1982, counts numerous accomplishments during her tenure in the city council.
According to Koslowitz’ website and council page, those accomplishments include helping to shut down an all-nude strip club, Runway 69, in a family-friendly residential area and introducing legislation to ensure similar clubs may not open in similar neighborhoods.
Key legislation that Koslowitz has sponsored includes Senior citizen tax relief; free access to reproductive health care facilities for women and helping to streamline bureaucratic red tape involved in locating and retrieving towed vehicles.
By Alan Krawitz
