18 The QUENS Courier • SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com CAMPAIGN 2016 SENATE CANDIDATE JUNG UNDER FIRE FOR STANCE ON LGBT AND WOMEN’S ISSUES State Senate candidate S.J. Jung of Flushing, who faces state Senator Toby Ann Stavisky in a Sept. 13 state Democratic primary, had a rough go of it this week from traditionally Democratic leaning organizations for having traditionally “un-Democratic” policy positions. Jung revealed this week that he believes in the “Bible’s teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman,” after he came under fire for telling a group of Korean churchgoers in March that he is against marriage equality. Jung also drew the irk of several female lawmakers from Queens and pro-women’s rights organizations last Friday for opposing a woman’s right to choose, with the exception of when a mother’s life is in jeopardy. “It’s amazing to me that S.J. Jung, who wants to replace the only woman from Queens in the state Senate, also wants to abolish the most fundamental rights of women to make their own health care decisions,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz in a statement. When The Courier spoke to Jung campaign manager Kyle Sullivan for a response to the borough president, he said that a written statement Queens Politics & More BY MIKE FRICCHIONE would be sent over, but none ever came. Sullivan did however confirm that he and Jung field director, Ben Barber, previously worked on the campaign of progressive presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, an icon for many on the left because of his decidedly liberal stances during the Democratic presidential primary. When asked how one can reconcile working for politicians with such stark differences on key political issues, no response was forthcoming. But Yanni Trittas, campaign manager for Jung two years ago when he unsuccessfully ran for the same Senate seat, was not shy with an explanation. Trittas came out with a Facebook post this week that described his campaign experience as a “nightmare,” and said his relationship with the candidate began to crumble when Jung said “I don’t support those people,” in response to Trittas’ asking if they would seek the endorsement of the Empire State Pride Agenda, a statewide political advocacy organization in New York that advocated for gay rights, including same-sex marriage. The Jung campaign’s only response to the former campaign manager was that Jung only sought one political endorsement this year, and that was from Citizens Union, a good government, watchdog organization. S.J. Jung has legitimate and widely accepted positions on key issues. He and his campaign should respond vigorously and without fear, not shy away from the spotlight because it may not be politically popular in his entire district. Not all voters will agree with S.J. Jung, but at least they could respect the conviction of his personal beliefs. Photo: Suzanne Monteverdi/THE COURIER Democratic congressional candidate Tom Suozzi making his opening remarks. Congressional candidates stump for votes at Bay Terrace civic group’s forum By Suzanne Monteverdi smonteverdi@qns.com/@smont76 Three candidates seeking to replace outgoing Congressman Steve Israel made a campaign stop in Bayside this week. Financial auditor Philip Pidot, state Senator Jack Martins and former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi each had their turn to speak and state their positions at a candidates forum that the Bay Terrace Community Alliance (BHCA) hosted on Tuesday night, Aug. 30, at the Clearview Park Golf Course clubhouse. Pidot, who was vaulted back into the race as a result of a court-ordered Republican primary in October, was the first congressional candidate to get the podium. He referenced his background in financial services, specifically corporate and political fraud investigation, and said he decided to run “to fight corruption.” “I don’t have to tell anyone in this room about the ongoing embarrassment that is the behavior of our state, federal and local county elected officials and parties,” Pidot said. Pidot spoke about the latest legality in a string of legal battles between candidates in the election race. Martins initially challenged Pidot’s petitions for the June Republican primary and had Pidot thrown off the ballot. After an appeal, a federal court recently ordered Pidot back on the ballot and a new Republican primary to take place in October. Martins then moved to have the general election pushed back by a month because, in part, the primary was so close. Prior to the Aug. 30 forum, Martins’ legal motion to move the general election from Nov. 8 to Dec. 6 was denied by the federal court. Pidot called the situation an “electoral quagmire.” Suozzi, the Democratic nominee, stated that things “are not getting done” and that the “issue in this race is that Washington is broken.” “Somebody is benefiting from the way things are now,” Suozzi said. “When the status quo doesn’t change, the reason it often doesn’t change is because somebody is benefiting from the way it is now.” Martins, the second Republican candidate, cited his experience as a state senator and his ability to “work across the aisle.” “I’ve been down this road before,” Martins said. “No one has passed more legislation in their first three terms — in both houses, signed into law — as I did.” Each candidate was also asked about their choice for president. Pidot responded he is “not a fan of Donald Trump,” but that he will “endorse whatever candidate stands the best chance of preventing Hillary Clinton from returning to the White House.” Suozzi responded with support for Clinton, though he does “not want to see a federal income tax increase.” Martins stated he will vote for Trump though he “will not embrace the rhetoric.” Suozzi also pointed out that the BHCA forum was the first time in the election season that all three candidates were in the same room together. The Third District covers areas of northeast Queens, northern Nassau and northwestern Suffolk counties. Pidot and Martins will square off in the Oct. 6 Republican primary; the winner will face Suozzi in the Nov. 8 general election.
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