Queens Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal to step down
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Democratic Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal announced on Tuesday that he will be stepping down to take a job at a Jewish non-profit. Photo via New York State Assembly
By Ryan Schwach
Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal is stepping down from his seat representing Queens’ 27th District to take a job with the UJA-Federation of New York, a Jewish non-profit.
Rosenthal, a 32-year-old Democrat who has represented Kew Gardens Hills, Kew Gardens, Pomonok, Electchester, College Point and parts of Whitestone, Richmond Hill, Briarwood and Forest Hills since 2017, will become the vice president for government relations at UJA in August.
A special election will be held in the coming months to replace him.
“It is with a mix of emotions that I announce my decision to step down from the New York State Assembly this summer,” Rosenthal said in a statement on Tuesday. “Serving as your assemblymember has been the honor of a lifetime. I am deeply grateful to my community, family, staff and my constituents of the 27th district for entrusting me to be your voice in the State Assembly.”
In his statement, Rosenthal discussed his office’s work with constituents, assistance during natural and health disasters and the funding of public institutions.
Rosenthal will be taking the spot of Louisa Chafee, who was appointed director of the New York City Independent Budget Office in January.
UJA is a non-profit that focuses on Jewish issues, something Rosenthal also did while representing his district. Notably, Rosenthal co-sponsored the Religious Protection Act in 2019 with fellow Jewish Queens Assemblymember David Weprin.
"Daniel has a stellar record and will play a vital role helping UJA secure government support for critical communal needs - including security for Jewish institutions, funding for senior services and holocaust survivors, safety net resources for the most vulnerable, and more,” said Eric Goldstein, CEO of the UJA-Federation of New York. “Daniel also excels at bringing diverse communities together, and this experience will be a huge asset to New Yorkers at a time of sharply rising antisemitism and hate crimes across our community.”
Rosenthal’s departure from the Eastern Queens seat will more than likely trigger a special election.
Special elections are not new to District 27 – Rosenthal, as well as his immediate predecessor, were both initially elected via a special election.
Rosenthal was elected in 2017 after he predecessor, Michael Simonowitz, passed away of an undisclosed illness earlier that year. Rosenthal was the only candidate in the 2017 race.
Simonowitz took office in 2011 via a special election himself, when his predecessor, Nettie Mayersohn, chose to retire after 28-years occupying the seat.
The search for a successor is not immediately apparent, since no one has challenged a Democratic incumbent in District 27 going back more than a decade.
The district mainly consists of white, Orthodox Jewish, South Asian and Latino voters and includes most of Flushing Meadows Corona Park except for the areas that include the Billie Jean King Tennis Center and Citi Field.
Rosenthal won 58 percent of the vote in November against Republican Angelo King.
But local Democratic strategist Trip Yang suggests Democrats shouldn't take the historical blue seat for granted.
“Democrats will need to recruit a strong candidate who can communicate clearly about improving public safety, affordability and quality of life,” Yang said.
Republican Lee Zeldin won the district in November by a little more than 3,000 votes. Most of the northern portion of the district overlaps with Republican City Councilmember Vickie Paladino’s district, which is heavily Republican.
“The district is historically Democrat, but we’ve seen a red wave these last two years,” said Yang. “Democrats cannot take anything for granted.”
Hank Sheinkopf, another political strategist, believes it will be a competitive race for the heavily Jewish district.
“They’ll be a line around the block to get the job,” he said, adding that it could go to either party, depending on what crime rates look like by the time voting happens.
“It could be, depending on how bad crime gets, and how people feel about Clean Slate, bail reform and suburban rezoning,” he said.
There have already been rumors of some names looking into the seat, including local attorney Sam Berger on the Democratic side, and former Republican Senate candidate and Paladino campaign manager, Stefano Forte.
“I’m honored to be considered as a possible contender for the State Assembly seat,” Forte told the Eagle. “A large portion of this seat is situated within the State Senate district I ran for in 2022 and I know the issues affecting this district well.”
“At this point nothing is off the table, but I must consult my family members, advisors, religious and community leaders before I make a final decision,” he added.
