Photo Courtesy of Edwin Torres/Mayoral Photography Office
Governor Cuomo has canceled the special election for Queens borough president.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday signed an executive order canceling the special election for Queens borough president.
The non-partisan race to determine who will succeed former BP Melinda Katz, sworn in earlier this year as the borough’s district attorney, was originally scheduled for March 24. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced Mayor Bill de Blasio to cancel it via executive order. The election was then rescheduled for June 23.
“The special election to be held for the office of Queens Borough President is hereby canceled, and such office shall be filled at the general election,” Cuomo’s executive order reads.
The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.
Prior to Cuomo’s April 24 order, the candidates vying to lead The World’s Borough included: City Councilmen Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton), Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), and Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria); former Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley; former Queens Assistant District Attorney James Quinn; Danniel Sun Maio; and retired NYPD Sgt. Anthony Miranda.
Queens County GOP Chairwoman Joann Ariola announced Monday that she has been tabbed to enter the fray on the Republican and Conservative lines.
“Unfortunately, this order effectively ended Jim Quinn’s campaign,” said Ariola, who had been running the former prosecutor’s bid. “We all worked hard to qualify Jim for the ballot and had committed to supporting him through the special election. We will now focus our efforts towards the November election for borough president. As the Republican- and Conservative-endorsed candidate, I know we have some ground to cover, but I’m fully confident that our Republican ticket will be well-represented in November.”
Sharon Lee will continue to serve as acting borough president for the rest of the calendar year.