Barnwell bows out of Assembly race
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Assemblymember Brian Barnwell will not run for reelection, the elected official announced this week. Photo via Barnwell
By Jacob Kaye
Assemblymember Brian Barnwell, who represents the southern portion of Western Queens, announced this week that he would not seek reelection this year, leaving the race for his seat somewhat open.
In a message to social media Tuesday, Barnwell, who represents Assembly District 30 covering parts of Maspeth, Woodside, Middle Village, Astoria, Sunnyside, Elmhurst, Rego Park and Long Island City, said his career in the Assembly would be coming to close at the end of the year and thanked his constituents for their support over the last half decade.
“It is with sadness that I announce that I will not be seeking re-election to the NYS Assembly,” Barnwell said. “It has been a true honor to serve, and I will never forget that I owe everything to the kindness of the People who allowed me to serve as their representative.”
Barnwell did not provide a reason for his decision and declined to comment when contacted by the Eagle.
The assemblymember, who took his first oath of office in 2017, filed a Certificate of Declination with the New York City Board of Elections on the last day to do so, Monday, April 11, according to the BOE.
His name will now be taken on the ballot and his committee to fill vacancies, which is likely made up Barnwell supporters, will choose someone to take his place.
The members of Barnwell’s vacancies committee are listed on his petitions, however, the BOE did not respond to multiple requests to provide Barnwell’s petitions to the Eagle.
However, Rep. Gregory Meeks, who leads the Queens County Democratic Party, is believed to be a member of Barnwell’s committee, according to reporting by QNS. That would leave Barnwell’s replacement on the ballot at least partially in the hands of the county party.
There are currently two other candidates in the race – Democrat Ramon P. Cando and Republican Sean S. Lally. The deadline for another candidate – who may be inclined to run after the incumbent announced the seat would be free – to enter the race has passed.
Under the Assembly’s new redistricting lines, Assembly District 30 now covers less of Astoria and Maspeth and picks up ground in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst.
Barnwell, who is a trained attorney and could make the switch to run for a judicial position this election cycle, got his political start in Queens as an aide for former City Councilmember Costa Constantinides.
In his 2016 bid for the Assembly seat, Barnwell beat out Margaret Markey, who was seeking her 10th term representing the district.
Barnwell beat Markey out by around 700 votes in a major upset.
He faced a Democratic challenger in 2018 in Melissa Sklarz, but won the election with over 64 percent of the vote.
