Though the Democratic Socialists of America dominated races throughout the city on Tuesday, two Democrats with establishment backing sailed to victory in South Queens — Pesach Osina and state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven).
Osina, a longtime political staffer, bested attorney Mike Scala in the Democratic primary for the open seat in Assembly District 23. He garnered 60.6 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results from the city Board of Elections, while Scala had 38.9 percent.
Scala did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment by deadline Wednesday.
Osina had the backing of the incumbent, Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), many elected officials of the neighboring districts and the Queens Democratic Party.
“I am truly humbled by the trust and confidence the voters of the 23rd District have placed in our campaign,” Osina said in a statement. “From the very beginning, our campaign has been about building bridges and bringing communities together from every corner of the district around a shared commitment to tackling rising costs, making our neighborhoods safer, and improving our quality of life.”
The race to the Assembly continues, as Osina will face Republican challenger Tom Sullivan in November’s general election.
Sullivan, a retired Army colonel, has run for the seat twice before, narrowly losing to incumbent Pheffer Amato both times. In 2022, he lost by just 15 votes.
“As we look ahead to November, I will continue meeting with my neighbors, listening to their concerns, discussing the issues that matter most, and working every day to earn their trust and support,” Osina said.
Meanwhile, Addabbo, the longtime incumbent in Senate District 15, handily beat Albert Baldeo, 73.6 percent to 25.8 percent, per the city BOE.
Addabbo told the Chronicle that he’s celebrating his win by getting back to work.
“I’m so appreciative of the support,” Addabbo said. “We did really well last night, and I say ‘we’ because it’s not just me, it’s my team. I can’t do it alone. But we feel really good. We feel energized. Our work is not done.”
In November, Addabbo may face conservative Danniel Maio on the ballot, and perhaps Baldeo, who told the Chronicle he has not ruled out a run on another line after reiterating his discontentment with the district’s leadership.
“I never say never through anything, and so that part I’ll have to discuss with the people who supported me,” Baldeo said.
The incumbent senator, if reelected, will have new company in the Assembly. That could be Osina, Sullivan, David Orkin — who beat incumbent state Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) — whose district overlaps Addabbo’s, or Orkin’s Republican challenger in November, Ruben Cruz.
Addabbo said he’s ready to collaborate with whomever his new colleagues may be.
“As long as the focus is on the best interests of the people that we represent, I try to work with everybody,” Addabbo said. “It doesn’t matter what party, doesn’t matter your background. … If we don’t get along as colleagues, the people suffer.”