Just two weeks after Jimmy Dahroug dropped out his State Senate campaign in the 3rd district for establishment-favored Brian Foley, Albert Baldeo is letting his primary opponent off to face incumbent Serph Maltese on his own. Baldeo, like Dahroug had run this race before and in this Queens district, had nearly ousted the veteran Maltese, missing by only 800 votes. Now he's throwing his support to Addabbo.
From The Daily Politics:
This is not good news for Maltese, who is one of the Democrats' top targets as they try to take control of the Senate from the GOP this fall. Baldeo had threatened to remain in the general election on a third party line, which could have made a difference in a contest that's expected to be very close.
Baldeo surprised New York Democrats when he nearly toppled Maltese with no assistance whatsoever from the party and made leaders realize just how vulnerable the Queens Republican is.
That is another similarity with Dahroug, who made the establishment take notice of Republican Senator Caesar Trunzo. Though from what I know in the progressive community, Addabbo has had more support than Foley did before Dahroug dropped out. Regardless, we now have two strong Democratic challengers who can knock out Trunzo and Maltese....and make our State Senate blue again.
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