Candidates For GOP District Leaders Battle It Out In Southern Brooklyn
BAY RIDGE — As former governor Bill Weld announces a primary against President Trump, Republicans in Southern Brooklyn look to another election in their backyard — the race for district leader.
Candidates for the Kings County Republican County Committee submitted petitions last Monday. District leaders typically go unchallenged but in the 46th Assembly district which covers Coney Island and Sea Gate, as well as parts of Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Dyker Heights and Gravesend, there’s a competitive race.
There are three women running for the “female” Republican district leader seat. Kerri McCarthy, who currently holds the seat, is running for re-election. Lucretia Regina-Potter, former district leader and Viktoria Grinblat a pharmacy owner will oppose her. According to Board of Elections records, all three candidates will face challenges during June hearings.
John Quaglione, who narrowly lost to Councilman Justin Brannan in a 2017 council election and who also flacked for former state senator Marty Golden, is in the runnings as a male district leader. He’ll face Daniel Slavin, a student, and Eugene Ovsischer.
Anthony J. Regina submitted over 100 volumes but declined to be on the ballot by the April 4 deadline. Ovsischer, an Iraqi war vet, will replace him.
The male and female candidates pair as follows:
- Kerri McCarthy & John Quaglione
- Lucretia Regina-Potter & Eugene Ovsischer
- Viktoria Grinblat & Daniel Slavin
Of the six, two (male and female) will move forward to represent the district until 2021.
The non-paid office, at the very least, serves as a liaison between constituents and the district’s elected officials. But according to the Board of Elections, Party leaders determine the exact role and significance of their district leaders.
Bkylner reached out to the Kings County Republican Party head on how he has defined the office.
“District Leaders are unpaid, party officials that are elected by voters from within the Assembly District in a primary,” wrote Kings County Republican Chair Theodore “Teddy” Ghorra in a text message. “They serve as their community’s party advocates, voting on policy matters and the endorsement of candidates. District Leaders are often active in electoral politics as well.”
Christin Parker, cousin to State Sen. Kevin Parker a Democrat, will run against Tiffany Reese in the 56th Assembly district. Although, the likes of Parker appearing on the ballot are slim as she did not submit cover letters, according to BOE records.
Candidates will face off in a June 25 primary.