Anthony Como

Earlier this week, one of the Republican candidates for the June 3 special election to fill a City Council seat in Queens, Tom Ognibene, accused the Board of Elections of giving the other Republican candidate, Anthony Como, preferential ballot placement. (Como is the former Queens Board of Elections commissioner).

In a letter dated May 7, the B.O.E. responds, saying that Como got to the office to hand in his petitions before Ognibene, which determined his placement on the ballot:

“A review of the official records of the Board shows that the first documents relating to the candidacy of Mr. Como were clocked in at 9:00 AM on Monday, April 21, 2008, notwithstanding the fact that he signed into the visitor’s log at 8:25 AM. A similar review of the petition documents relating to your candidacy shows the first documents relating to your candidacy were clocked in at 9:14 AM on April 21, 2008 and that your authorized representative signed the visitor’s log at 9:15 AM on that date."

Here is the full letter:  read more »

The Working Families Party endorsed Democratic City Council candidate Elizabeth Crowley for the special election in Queens on June 3. It’s not an entirely surprising move, considering Crowley is the leading Democratic candidate, and a united Democratic front will be needed to claim that seat, which has been held by Republicans for years.  read more »

Michael Bloomberg just announced that the special election to fill the City Council seat vacated by Republican Dennis Gallagher, who pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct, will be on June 3. The winner of that election will serve until the end of the year. Another election will be held in November to choose a candidate to fill out the remainder of Gallagher's term--until the end of 2009.

But whoever wins on June 3 is likely to hold onto the seat in in November.  read more »

Wednesday night, the Queens County Republican Party endorsed Anthony Como for the City Council seat being vacated by Dennis Gallagher.

The endorsement was made during a meeting of district leaders at the county headquarters in Middle Village, and comes amid talk that the former Republican County leader and city councilman in that area, Tom Ognibene, may enter the race also.  read more »