Tony Avella Announces State Senate Run

Having deferred Congressional ambitions, State. Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, announced on Monday that he will run to be re-elected to the State Senate.

“Two years ago I ran for Senate on a platform of reform and good government in this district and while we have accomplished a great deal during my first term, we still have a long way to go to reform Albany,” Avella said in his announcement.  

"As Senator I attacked the reckless over-development issues that have threatened the and never failed to take for failing to provide the quality of life the people of Queens deserve,” he added.

Avella reportedly told the Daily News that though it has been his “life’s dream” to run for Congress, he is happy to support Democratic nominee for . Avella also told the Daily News that he believes it’s, "very important we re-elect a Democrat to this seat."

A Republican challenger for his own 11th District Senate seat has not yet emerged, but the Queens GOP hopes former Sen. Frank Padavan will take up arms for his old seat. Avella and Padavan last faced off in 2009, when Avella beat Padavan, who had been the 38-year incumbent. 

"The short of it is that the district needs Frank and a number of community and civic leader fed up with how ineffectual Avella has been are quietly encouraging Frank to run," said Queens GOP Executive Vice Chairman Vince Tabone. "We are now just waiting to see if he answers the call," Tabone added.

Read the full text of Avella’s announcement below:

Today I am proud to announce that I will seek re-election to New York State’s 11th Senatorial District.  Two years ago I ran for Senate on a platform of reform and good government in this district and while we have accomplished a great deal during my first term, we still have a long way to go to reform Albany. 

Since taking office, I have served this district faithfully, both in Albany and in the community, through bi-partisan legislative efforts, an unbridled defense of the our neighborhoods from harmful over-development and unparalleled constituent services.

As Senator I have authored and introduced over fifty bills and co-sponsored numerous others.  In doing so I reached across the aisle to co-sponsor over two hundred bills which is more than double the amount co-sponsored by any of my Senate colleagues.  I look forward to continuing this spirit of bipartisanship in an effort to truly accomplish what needs to be done for the greater good of New York State.

While much of my attention was devoted to addressing our Statewide issues in Albany, I never lost sight of what needed to be done in the community.  As Senator I attacked the reckless over-development issues that have threatened the characters of our neighborhoods and never failed to take City Agencies to task for failing to provide the quality of life the people of Queens deserve. 

With the promise of even greater challenges in the future, I look forward to building on my first term in the State Senate and continuing my service to the 11th Senatorial District.