Michael Conigliaro is mounting a run against state Sen. Joseph Addabbo on the Republican and Conservative party lines. Photo courtesy Michael Conigliaro
Rego Park native Michael Conigliaro announced his bid for the state Senate this week, challenging state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) on the Republican and Conservative party lines. His announcement came just after another Republican, former City Councilman Thomas Ognibene, declined a run for the same seat.
Conigliaro, who manages a real estate law firm and serves on the Forest Hills Our Lady of Mercy Church parish, rolled out a wide array of GOP support Monday on the heels of his campaign announcement.
“My campaign will focus on the issues that are important to the forgotten middle class – creating jobs, cutting taxes and making sure that the next generation has an even better shot at life,” he said. “Quite frankly, it’s not enough to stand on the sidelines and simply complain about the status quo.”
Conigliaro boasted support from some of the borough’s heavy hitters in the party, including former U.S. Rep. Bob Turner and City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) – both of which come from one faction of a split Republican Party.
“Communities, like mine, that were devastated by hurricane Sandy need a strong voice in the State Senate fighting for them,” Turner said. “Mike Conigliaro is not a career politician. We can count on him to roll up his sleeves and get the job done.”
Ulrich, the borough’s only elected Republican, also threw his support behind the Rego Park resident with hopes of getting more members from his party into public office.
“I’m supporting Mike Conigliaro because he’s honest, hard-working and understands that public service is a privilege, not an entitlement,” Ulrich said. “Mike will make a great State Senator. He’s the real deal and someone who we can count on to deliver real results.”
Meanwhile, despite previous speculation that he might be mounting a run against Addabbo, former Ognibene ended up passing on another bid for elected office.
Ognibene, who could not be reached for comment, had his name appear on petitions circulated throughout the southern Queens 15th Senate District, which includes Howard Beach, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ozone Park, the Rockaway Peninsula, Woodhaven and more. But papers filed earlier this week with the city Board of Elections showed he ultimately declined to run on the Republican and Conservative lines.
The former councilman most previously ran for public office since 2010, when he lost his bid for lieutenant governor as a running mate for Carl Paladino. He also tried to win back his Council seat in 2009 before ultimately losing to City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Maspeth).
The attorney from Middle Village represented communities in central Queens from 1992 to 2001 as a member of the City Council. His name first started showing up on petitions over recent weeks, just as the Queens Republican Party met in Forest Hills to discuss ways to get more candidates into public office.
Addabbo said that one way or the other, he was ready for a contest as he looks to hold onto the Howard Beach seat.
“I take everything seriously regardless of who the opponent is. I center my campaigns on the work I have done in the Senate and try to keep things as positive as I can,” Addabbo said. “When an opponent becomes official, we’ll be ready. My point of view is to never be surprised.”
By Phil Corso
