Politics & Government

Vallone Wins Democratic Primary for Halloran's Seat

Katz bests Peter Vallone Jr. in Queens borough president primary and Lancman wins in bid for Gennaro's seat.

Flushing attorney Paul Vallone defeated his four Democratic contenders Tuesday in the primary election for Councilman Dan Halloran’s seat.

Vallone, who is the brother of Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. and son of former Council Speaker Peter Vallone, took 31 percent of the vote, the New York Times reported.

“We did it – and in a race this close, I mean that everyone in this room did it,” Vallone told cheering supporters at Bayside’s Vivaldi Restaurant. “It’s just another six weeks. We will continue to knock on doors and unify this district. We’ll take back our Council seat.”

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Austin Shafran, formerly of Empire State Development, came in second, taking 29 percent of the vote, while long-time community activist Paul Graziano earned 17 percent.

Former state Assemblyman John Duane garnered 11 percent and Chrissy Voskerichian, Halloran’s former chief of staff, brought in 10 percent.

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Vallone will now face off in the Nov. 5 general election against Republican Dennis Saffran, a Douglaston attorney.

In the Queens borough president race, former state Assemblywoman Melinda Katz bested Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. Katz received 44 percent of the vote, while Vallone earned 33 percent.

Everly Brown received 12 percent and state Sen. Tony Avella earned nine percent, despite having dropped out of the race in August.

In the race for Councilman James Gennaro’s seat, Rory Lancman took 61 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, while Andrea Veras earned 21 percent and Mujib Rahman took 17 percent.


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