2010 Assembly District 73 – Democratic Primary

Preferred Candidate

JONATHAN BING – DEM
(photo from NYS Assembly)

Age: 40

Occupation: Member, NYS Assembly
Education: University of Pennsylvania (BA); New York University School of Law (JD)

Campaign website: http://www.jonathanbing.com/

Jonathan Bing, the incumbent state assemblyman, is running for reelection. One of his top priorities, if reelected, would be to improve education within his district. Although he has helped to bring three new schools to east side of Manhattan, Assemblyman Bing believes that the schools in his district remain overcrowded. Other top priorities for Assemblyman Bing include increasing access to healthcare, increasing affordable housing, supporting the arts, and supporting the business community within the district. He cites his ability to work across the aisle in addition to building coalitions, which has resulted in the passage of 70 bills that he authored during his service in the Assembly, 30 of which became law including the recently approved no-fault divorce bill, as evidence of his effectiveness. With regard to specific reform issues, Assemblyman Bing is a co-sponsor of the bill establishing independent redistricting which Bing believes will result in elected officials who are more responsive to their constituents. Assemblyman Bing also supports term limits for committee chairs. He backs campaign finance reform including public financing because he feels reforming the finance system will lead to more competitive elections. Assemblyman Bing has been an able legislator for his constituents and has shown an impressive ability to move legislation. For these reasons, Citizens Union has opted to prefer Assemblyman Jonathan Bing in the primary.

GREGG LUNDAHL – DEM, WF
(photo from facebook.com)
Gregg Lundahl’s Candidate Questionnaire
Age: 54
Occupation: NYC Public School Teacher
Education: University of Colorado (BA); Fordham University (MAT)
Campaign website: http://greggforassembly.com/

Gregg Lundahl, a NYC public school teacher and a United Federation of Teachers (UFT) representative, is seeking the Assembly seat in the 73rd district where he has lived for 14 years. Mr. Lundahl stated that he originally decided to run for Assembly because he, like the UFT, disagreed with Assemblyman Bing’s bill, A10482, which would eliminate the city’s seniority-based rules that govern teacher layoffs and give principals the authority to determine which teachers to lay off. If elected, his top priority would be education, specifically the need for more schools in his districts. Lundahl also stated that he wants to make the school admission process more transparent. Lundahl would also focus on increasing affordable housing, especially for elderly residents of the district. Enhancing the MTA’s service is another concern Lundahl would devote attention to. With regard to reform, Mr. Lundahl supports campaign finance reform and public financing because he believes the current system distorts the field of viable candidates. Mr. Lundahl stated that he feels he can achieve reform in Albany by forming coalitions with other independent thinkers in the legislature and by not voting lock-step with the party on all issues.