Paul Vallone said he intends to challenge Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, for his seat this fall.
Vallone, who is the son of former Council Speaker Peter Vallone and brother of Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., previously ran in the Democratic primary for the seat in 2009.
“I’m building on what we started four years ago,” said Vallone, an attorney who lives in Flushing. “In 2009, it was more of a getting to know you kind of thing. We’ve worked our butts off in the community to bring this campaign to fruition.”
Matthew Silverstein, a Democratic state committeeman, is the only other contender who has announced a bid in this fall’s primary for the seat.
Other names who have been mentioned as contenders are former state Assemblyman John Duane and Austin Shaffran, who is an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Vallone said his family has inspired him to jump into the race.
“I’ve had my father as a role model,” he said. “I’ve seen how when you’re a strong local representative, you can go to City Hall and bring back to the district.”
Vallone said he will run on many of the same issues on which he focused in his 2009 bid.
“As a parent, it’s always about our children, schools, public safety and quality of life,” he said. “Now, more than ever, the strength of our school system and safety are most important to maintaining the quality of life we have.”
Peter Vallone Jr., D-Astoria, has announced that he will run in the race for Queens borough president after being term-limited out of office this year.
