By Erin Levi
28th Assembly District
Polls closed at 9PM Tuesday, June 25 for New York’s Primary Elections. In the 28th Assembly District (Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, and Middle Village), Diana Rachnaev, who lost the State Committee Position by 300 votes (one of the closer races), was elected as Judicial Convention Delegate for the 28th District for her first time.
«In this pivotal role, I will be your voice in selecting qualified judges who will safeguard our rights and uphold the principles of justice. I will work tirelessly to ensure that our judiciary reflects the diversity and values of our community,» said Rachnaev, who is founder and CEO of non-profit YESODOT.
She is joined by David Aronov, also elected as a judicial delegate for the same district—a first for him as well.
«Congratulations to my friend [Diana Rachnaev], looking forward to continuing to work together to better our community,» Aronov shared in an Instagram story.
There are a total of eight judicial delegates in this district. Rachnaev and Aronov will be joined by Melissa Ann San Pedro, Suzanne W. Flannery, Karen Koslowitz, Matthew M. Mandell, Edwin K. Wong, and Sandra S. Mandell.
In bigger news, Aronov was also elected as the new District Leader AD28 Part A. (Because he was unopposed, his name was not on the ballot.) As one of two district leaders for the 28th District, Aronov will have the power to nominate judges to the bench in queens, work with the board of elections to hire poll workers, and use it as a platform to advocate for local issues. The position is for two years.
Aronov and Rachnaev celebrated their victories at a party Tuesday night for the Surrogate Court Judge Cassandra Aimée Johnson. Mazel Tov!
NY Senate District 15
Incumbent Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. ran uncontested and was reelected. Rachnaev will continue to serve as his Bukharian liaison. The Bukharian Times extends its congratulations.
District 35
In the New York State Assembly Democratic Primary Election Results, the New York Times reports that with 95% of votes in, Larinda Hooks is projected to win Assembly District 35 with 59% of the votes against Bukharian-favored Hiram Monserrate (41%).
A former elected official, Monserrate was expelled from the State Senate following a conviction for misdemeanor assault against his then-girlfriend. He served a federal prison sentence for corruption charges, and has been running for office every year since.