Pesach Osina

Pesach Osina secured a key endorsement in his campaign for State Assembly earlier this week, as the Queens County Democratic Party announced its support for the Far Rockaway resident.

Osina is running to succeed outgoing NYS Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, who will retire at the end of the year, as the representative for Assembly District 23, which includes most of the Rockaway peninsula, Broad Channel, and sections of Howard Beach and South Ozone Park.

“I am beyond grateful and honored for the trust placed in me by Chair Gregory Meeks, the Queens Democratic Party, and my district leaders,” Osina said in a statement. “I am running to serve as the next assemblymember for the 23rd District – not for a title, but to serve, to lead with humility,” he added. “Over the past 20 years I have worked tirelessly for the people. Our communities need a leader who will hit the ground running from day one that understands the issues of our neighborhoods and can bridge our communities together making them stronger for future generations and years to come. I look forward to being that bridge – providing resources, attention and action to every corner of the district – so that all communities are seen, supported, and able to thrive.”

Leading up to the party’s endorsement earlier this week, Osina previously received endorsements from Pheffer Amato and former NYS Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, who Osina previously worked for.

In their respective endorsements, Pheffer Amato praised Osina as someone who will be “a commonsense legislator in Albany” and “will show up and deliver for our community,” and Goldfeder echoed this sentiment, referring to his former constituent liaison as “a leader who acts with compassion” and someone who will “secure a strong future” for the district’s communities.

Over the past two decades, Osina has built a strong reputation across numerous roles in government, including Assembly District 23, the New York City Comptroller’s office, and for the past four years with the New York City Council Speaker’s office.

In 2012, as Superstorm Sandy approached, Osina worked alongside community leaders and local stakeholders to prepare neighborhoods across the district and coordinated with local organizations to reach stranded families as the storm hit. Following the storm, Osina traveled throughout the district and helped establish relief sites.

Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Osina set up pop-up food distribution sites, secured equitable testing and vaccination locations, and delivered thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to marginalized and vulnerable communities across the district. He still continues that work today as a commissioner on the NYC Commission on Racial Equity.

In June, Osina is set to face off against Mike Scala, a Howard Beach-born attorney with ties to the Rockaway peninsula. Scala also serves as legal advisor for the QueensLink effort, chairs the Board of Directors of Queens Defenders, and previously worked in Albany as legal counsel and legislative director for NYS Senator James Sanders Jr.

While Osina ultimately received the party’s endorsement over Scala, insiders familiar with the situation say the decision wasn’t exactly clear-cut, as each candidate garnered support from the AD23 Democratic district leaders.

Despite not receiving the party’s endorsement in the end, Scala’s campaign remains confident that they will enjoy a primary victory in June.

“Good public servants are responsive to all their constituents,” Scala said in a statement to The Wave. “Through my work in the Rockaways, Broad Channel, Howard Beach, and Ozone Park, I’ve been able to connect with residents throughout our district. I’m honored to stand with them and appreciate all of those willing to stand with me. Despite the prearranged decision that was announced by the county party…we’re going to win this election because it is the voters who have the final say.”