As candidates exit Council races, Queens Democratic primaries become clearer
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Dropouts in three City Council races clear paths for Councilmembers Nantasha Williams and Jim Gennaro, and simplify the race for Julie Won’s 26th District. Photos from New York City Council, Gennaro and Ryan Schwach. Edit by Ryan Schwach
By Ryan Schwach
Four previously listed candidates for New York City Council races in Queens will not be on the ballot for the June Democratic primaries after failing to turn in petitions.
The four dropouts, who according to the New York City Board of Elections did not file petitions for the 2023 election cycle, tie up two primaries in Queens, and narrow the field in one of the more attention-pulling races coming later this month.
In Southeast Queens, Councilmember Nantasha Williams will be running unopposed for the Democratic nomination in District 27 which contains Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, St. Albans, Queens Village and Springfield Gardens, after her two primary opponents failed to file petitions.
Jabari Bell, a Hollis-based real estate developer, has terminated his candidacy for the seat.
Also, Joanne Moreno, who previously had no online presence and zero funding dollars according to the Campaign Finance Board, also did not file petitions and has dropped her bid challenging Williams
Williams, a Cambria Heights native, was elected to the seat in 2021 after former Councilmember I. Daneek Miller reached his term limit.
Williams still has a race ahead of her however, with Republican Marilyn Miller poised to face off against her in the November general election.
Miller, a retired NYPD officer who lives in Jamaica, says on NYC Votes: “I will be tough on crime and hold local and state officials accountable for public safety…We can no longer tolerate high crime, homelessness, high prices & violation of our Bill Of Rights and Constitution. I am running for the people to end this globalist agenda.”
Miller currently has no funding listed.
Rabby Syed, who had no online presence and only $3,000 on hand heading towards the primary, also failed to make the ballot in District 24.
With Syed’s name not on the ballot, Councilmember James Gennaro will be the Democratic nominee for his seat
In the general election, Gennaro will more than likely be against Johnathan David Rinaldi, a Republican who recently made news for fathering more than a dozen children via sperm donation over the last two years, as the Jewish Telegraph Agency Reported.
Rinaldi appeared on six seasons of the DIY Network’s show “Million Dollar Contractor”, and told the New York Post he was “compelled by God,” to run for the City Council.
He also told the Post that he runs a Facebook page for people who are looking for an unvaccinated sperm donor because they are concerned over fertility issues related to the COVID jab.
Further west, one of Queens’ more contested primaries has gotten a little more straightforward after former Council-staffer and candidate Lorenzo Brea terminated his candidacy for the 26th District after failing to file petitions.
With Brea out, the race will be a one-on-one contest between incumbent Julie Won and challenger Haillie Kim.
In 2021, Won received 56 percent of the ranked-choice vote in the 15-candidate field and Kim, who is running to Won’s left, received slightly under seven percent.
So far, Won has received endorsements from a handful of unions, such as CUNY’s Professional Staff Congress and the New York State Nurses Association.
“In her first term, Julie has approved historic levels of affordable housing, and secured vital city funding and resources for our schools, parks, and community organizations,” her campaign website reads.
Kim has called out Won on her vote for Mayor Eric Adams’ budget last year, and has focused her campaign on housing.
Whoever wins the primary will face off against Marvin Jeffcoat, an Army veteran who lost to Won in the 2021 general election by 55 percent of the vote.
The primary election will be held on June 27.
