By Michael V. Cusenza
The city has arrived on the cusp of what promises to be an historic election cycle—fraught with plenty of drama and political intrigue.
Already, records have been broken. Over 160,000 New Yorkers have submitted their ballots in early voting—that’s five times higher than the first weekend of early voting four years ago, according to a Gothamist report.
Following the shocking Democratic primary earlier this year, in which Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria), an avowed Socialist who counts U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Queens and Bronx) as an ardent supporter, beat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo handily, the path to Gracie Mansion was virtually cleared for the upstart elected official. However, the borough-born Cuomo, who is running as an Independent, has recently narrowed the gap considerably.
“Make no mistake: The race is tightening, and Andrew Cuomo is closing in fast,” Rich Azzopardi, spokesman for the Cuomo campaign, said on Wednesday.
“This is the second poll in a week showing Zohran Mamdani stuck below 45 percent of the vote—despite a lack of scrutiny and glowing press coverage—and Andrew Cuomo gaining.
File Photo
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
“He’s closed the gap by 3 points from the last [Quinnipiac] poll and his coalition is expanding—keeping a third of Democrats, winning half of Republicans, and leading with independents.
“Most importantly—older voters are breaking hard for Cuomo, and they’re the ones showing up early.
“That’s how you win in New York City. We’ve seen this movie before—in the Bloomberg and Giuliani races, late polls missed the surge of real, working-class voters who turn out when it counts. The same thing is happening now.
“So while Mamdani continues to spew word salad, he’s stuck in the mud. The momentum is with Andrew Cuomo—and it’s only growing everyday.”
Perennial GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa has garnered nearly 20 percent of the vote, according to polls. Cuomo sycophants have been calling on the political gadfly Sliwa to drop out of the race. The resilient founder of the Guardian Angels has refused.
On to the City Council races that will impact South Queens. In Council District 32, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) is running unopposed. Communities within the district include Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Rockaway Park, Neponsit, Roxbury, and parts of South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, and Woodhaven.
“As a common-sense council member, I’m focused on the quality of life and public safety in District 32,” Ariola said.
In Council District 29, which includes Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, South Richmond Hill, Ozone Park (North), and South Ozone Park, incumbent Democrat Lynn Schulman is running against Republican Jonathan Rinaldi.
“I am running for re-election to continue making healthcare affordable and accessible to all New Yorkers,” Schulman said. “As chair of the Health Committee, I helped make the city healthier by enhancing women’s health, enacting the first citywide Diabetes Reduction Plan, and improving health options for seniors. With the uncertainty of pending federal cuts to healthcare and other social services, now more than ever, it is vitally important to have a strong, independent voice in the City Council representing Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill and Rego Park.”
Rinaldi, a political consultant running on public safety, quality of life, and economic opportunities, said, “I am committed to restoring safety, improving city services, and creating economic opportunities for all residents of District 29. Together, we can build a stronger, safer community.”
