As the 11th District State Senate race heats up among the Democrats, first-time Republican candidate Simon Minching is confident of winning the seat should Republicans rally together to victory.
Liu, a former New York City Comptroller, announced a late bid against State Senator Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Flushing, Jamaica Estates, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, Jamaica, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Briarwood) right before the July 12 deadline to register petitions for the upcoming Democratic primary. Attorney John Duane was expected to challenge Avella before dropping out, allowing Liu to run in the primary instead.
While another State Senate Democratic primary occurs in Queens, Minching is continuing his efforts to expand his profile to constituents in the district ahead of the November general election. He scored a victory after both the Queens County Conservative Club and Queens County Republican Party endorsed him last May. The other Republican running in the district is Whitestone resident Vickie Paladino.
Minching believed Liu’s entry into the race created “the most intriguing campaign for State Senate in all of New York.”
“No other race has four people competing for one seat, and there’s a clear contrast between the Democratic politicians on one side—each of whom had designs on higher office before falling back on this—and us Republicans, who as concerned neighbors, have two very different visions on how to improve the district,” he said.
Nevertheless, Minching felt the Republicans in the borough should unify d a unique opportunity to join together with the latest Democratic race development.
“A primary, forces me to be sharper, earlier, and as the Conservative-endorsed candidate guaranteed to be on the ballot come November, Republicans should strongly consider unity if we want to win the general; a split ticket all but hands the election to the Democrats,” Minching said.
Yet Minching’s main priorities are focusing on his campaign and listening to constituents around the district.
“Going door-to-door is fantastic: it’s my favorite part of the job and is the best way to get to know the most intimate concerns of voters,” he said.
The upcoming Democratic and Republican primaries will occur on Thursday, September 13th.
