Field of 6 Democrats In Primary for Queens Council Seat

NEW YORK (AP) —

Six candidates were on the ballot Thursday in the Democratic primary for an open Queens City Council seat.

The seat has been vacant since Mark Weprin resigned in June to take a job to work for Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The winner will face Republican Joseph Concannon, a retired police department captain, in November’s general election.

The contenders for the seat are former Assemblyman Barry Grodenchik; Rebecca Lynch, a former aide to Mayor Bill de Blasio; Ali Najmi, a lawyer; Robert Friedrich, head of one of the city’s largest co-op boards; and Celia Dosamantes, a former aide to Assemblyman David Weprin.

De Blasio, who is also a Democrat, has not offered an endorsement in the race.

In Syracuse, two members of the Common Council and a former Onondaga County legislator were running for the state Assembly seat vacated this year by Sam Roberts. The Democratic primary pits Councilor Pamela Hunter against Council President Jean Kessner and ex-Legislator David Stott.

Roberts, a Democrat who was in his third two-year term, now heads New York’s Office of Temporary Assistance and Disability. He was nominated by Cuomo.

The Legislature generally meets several days a week in Albany from January through June.

Attorney John Sharon, a Republican, is also running for the seat.

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