Dem kicks off race against Golden
Election Day 2012 is a year away, but the race for New Yorkstate senator from the 22nd Senate District is already beginning,with Bay Ridge-born Democrat Andrew Gounardes taking the firststeps in a grassroots campaign to unseat five-term incumbentMarty Golden, a Republican.
Over 150 people attended Gounardes’ kickoff fundraiser at JT’sRestaurant at 97th Street and Third Avenue on Thursday, November10, where the 26-year-old Fort Hamilton High School alum and HolyCross Greek Orthodox Church parishioner explained his decision torun for office as a response to his belief that, People arefrustrated and upset today with the way government is working – ornot working – [and] people are looking for something different -new leaders and new voices – to help make things better.
Gounardes, who was once a student advisory member for theDepartment of Education’s Panel for Educational Policy, is a memberof Community Board 10, and has worked as an aide to CouncilmemberVincent Gentile and New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, hopes to beone of those new leaders.