Queens senator still holds Women’s Equality and Independence Party ballot lines; says “I can’t walk away from the battles we fought together”
Sen. Tony Avella, a former member of the Independent Democratic Conference, announced this week he intends to continue his campaign even though he lost the Democratic primary to former New York City Comptroller and Councilman John Liu on September 13.
Avella hopes to maintain his Senate seat by getting voter support on the Independence Party line and the Women’s Equality Party line.
Read his full statement here:
“I have always been honored to represent my neighbors both in the City Council and now the State Senate. I have always worked together with them to do what is right and to get things done on their behalf.
“Although I was disappointed in the results of the Democratic Primary, I have been astounded by the level of support I have received since then from all aspects of our community. Families for Tony Avella, a grassroots group, has formed to promote my candidacy in the General Election since I will be on the ballot on the Independence and Women’s Equality lines.
“They and others from all political perspectives have asked me not to give up the fight but to continue to campaign for them. No matter where I go in the district since the election, residents have expressed their serious concerns with the candidates that won the Democratic and Republican Primaries.
“They feel that the Republican candidate, perhaps well intentioned, has no experience in government and no knowledge of the issues our communities face or how to deal with them. Many more have expressed shock that disgraced and scandal ridden John Liu won the Democratic primary. They feel John Liu is an embarrassment to the community and are very afraid of the negative impact on the community if he is elected. All during the campaign countless people asked me how can he run, “Why didn’t he go to jail for campaign finance fraud?”
“I was born and raised in Queens. I live in this community and I care deeply about our quality of life. After listening to my fellow residents I cannot simply walk away from the battles we have fought together to keep our quality of life and maintain the character of our neighborhoods. The battles we face every day including overdevelopment, property taxes, airplane and helicopter noise, quality education, affordable health care and corruption in government are too important to hand over to either of these two primary winners.
“For these reasons and for the support shown to me from the community, I will campaign for reelection for the November election. I urge all of my supporters from all political persuasions to get out and vote for me on the Independence Party line or Women’s Equality Party line. Our future quality of life depends on it.”
