Avella Sets Sights On Padavan, State Senate

By DOMENICK RAFTER

Democrats scored a top recruit last weekend for a State Senate race they nearly won two years ago. Former City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) announced his intention to run for the State Senate seat currently held by the last Republican state legislator in Queens, Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose).

Calling the State Senate “completely dysfunctional,” Avella kicked off his campaign at his home in Whitestone Sunday.

Fmr. Councilman Tony Avella officially kicked off his State Senate campaign in his Whitestone basement on March 28.

“While I may not have always done what’s popular, I have always tried to do what’s right. It’s time we elect a State Senator who will look out for the interests of Queens families,” Avella said. He took the opportunity to point the finger at his opponent. “Frank Padavan has been part of the problem in Albany for 38 years. What we need now is a Senator who wants to be part of the solution. If elected, I’ll change the way Albany does business.”

Avella was flanked by other prominent Queens Democrats, including Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) and Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), who gave Avella their endorsement.

Avella, who represented the Bayside, Douglaston, Whitestone, College Point and North Flushing council district now represented by Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) from 2002-2009, first hinted at a potential challenge to Padavan in early December. Avella, known to be more conservative than most city Democrats, came out in support of same-sex marriage that same month after the State Senate rejected a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York State. Padavan joined all 30 Republicans in the chamber in voting “no” on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Avella took more steps toward a run in February.

Avella has had a rocky relationship with his party. As a member of the City Council, he was often at odds with Speakers Gifford Miller and Christine Quinn, as well as other Democrats in the body. His endorsements from Dromm and Weprin, a former colleague of his on the council, as well as Queens Democratic Party head, U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Woodside) indicate that Avella has, at the very least, repaired his strained relationship with local Democrats.

Padavan was first elected in 1972, making him the longest serving State Senator in New York City. He faced a serious challenge in 2008 in a hard-fought race against Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows). Padavan won the race by 483 votes out of around 90,000 votes cast. Gennaro told the Tribune in February that he would not seek the seat again in 2010 and said he would support Avella’s candidacy if asked.

Republicans have dismissed the close race in 2008 as a coattail effect of President Barack Obama, who won more than 60 percent of the vote in the district.

Democrats are fighting to keep their slim 32-30 majority in the State Senate that they won in 2008 for the first time since 1964, or even expand on it. Several Democratic seats are considered vulnerable, especially the seat of Sen. Brian Foley (D-Blue Point) on Long Island. A net loss of one seat for the Democrats denies the party an outright majority in the next Senate and would give Republicans power over redistricting efforts in 2011.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125.