A former Queens lawmaker taps his successor

The New York state Assembly Chamber is seen as lawmakers debate end of session legislative bills at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

Politico | By Jeff Coltin and Hajah Bah

A special election in the heart of Queens could be a test of Republican gains in New York City.

On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to call a special election to fill the Assembly District 27 seat that Democrat Daniel Rosenthal resigned from in June. (He’s taking a job with Jewish nonprofit UJA-Federation of New York.)

State law sets the election at 40 to 50 days after the governor’s proclamation, so it’s expected to take place either Tuesday Sept. 5 or Sept. 12.

Rosenthal exclusively told Playbook that he’ll be backing Sam Berger for the seat. Berger, 25, just graduated from law school, and is the son of a local Democratic district leader.

However: “There has been some pushback on Berger on his age and inexperience,” a Democratic operative told Playbook.

If he won, Berger would be the youngest state legislator. Rosenthal himself was the youngest member when he was elected in a 2017 special election at 26.

Special elections for Assembly seats are partisan, and the district leaders effectively choose who gets the party line. In this case, the deciders are Sam’s mom, Paula Berger, along with Rosenthal and two others. Playbook was told all four agree Berger will be the party’s nominee.

The district stretches from Kew Gardens Hills up into College Point and Whitestone, with a base largely made up of Orthodox Jews and Asian American voters.

Both populations, including in these neighborhoods, have been casting ballots more for Republican candidates in recent years. In 2022, Lee Zeldin won the district over Hochul, 56 percent to 44 percent.

Berger, like Rosenthal, is an Orthodox Jew. Insiders say Republicans are also likely to nominate an Orthodox Jew: political operative and rabbi David Hirsch. A party spokesperson said the nominee hasn’t been chosen yet, and party leaders plan to screen candidates this week.

Rosenthal is already calling labor unions and advocacy groups to build support for Berger, so his seat stays in Democratic hands.

The special election could be a preview for races to come.

Since Representative-non-grata George Santos holds a portion of the district, both Republicans and Democrats are eager to energize voters for the next congressional election.

And GOP City Council Member Vickie Paladino, who also has a portion of the district, is facing a challenge from Democrat Tony Avella, who previously held the seat. The northeastern Queens rematch is expected to be one of November’s more competitive local races.