Stavisky keeps Senate seat from Flushing

By JERMECIA EDWARDS

State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky, a Flushing Democrat, defeated a challenge Tuesday from Republican attorney J.D. Kim, a popular figure in the local Korean community.

With two-thirds of the precincts tallied, Stavisky led with 74 percent of the vote.

Both candidates focused their platforms on improving the economy.  Stavisky advocated raising the minimum wage and creating opportunities for higher education while Kim argued that supporting small businesses and uniting diverse communities would pull the economy out of recession.

Kim, a Korean-American, is deeply involved in Flushing’s Korean community. free run 4.0 v3 femmes But Stavisk, who had the backing of the Queens Democratic organization,  received support from major Asian-American Democrats such as Assemb. Grace Meng, who on Tuesday became the first Asian-American from New York elected to Congress.

Stavisky was the first woman from Queens elected to the State Senate in 1999 and since then has been re-elected seven times.  Kim’s candidacy sparked the first congressional debate to focus on the local Korean community.

Stavisky, 74, won the Democratic primary against John Messer, 41, an attorney from Oakland Gardens, racking up 58 percent of votes compared to his 42 percent of votes.

During the campaign, Kim made it a point to avoid controversy or negative attacks.  A key moment in the campaign came in an open letter he sent to Stavisky, pushing her to work with the Korean community and encouraging the Korean community to invite her to events.

Kim, a well- known figure in Flushing’s large Korean community, portrays himself as a humble man devoted to improving the economy. Stavisky’s campaign depicts her as an experienced legislator who can bring money into the district.