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Incumbents dominate local political races

By Michelle Han

Aside from a handful of closely watched primaries and some challenges from minority candidates, Queens officials up for re-election this fall appeared poised to keep the status quo.

Voters go to the polls Nov. 7 in a general election to decide the outcomes in 30 Queens districts for Congress, state Senate and Assembly. With a presidential race and a heated U.S. senate race this year, voter turnout is expected to be high.

Despite close attention to the U.S. senate race in which first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton has visited the borough several times on campaign stops so far, there is little activity in the local races.

Of the 30 congressional, state senate and assembly offices with elections this fall, 11 incumbents are running unopposed, according to a review of initial nominating petitions filed with the New York City Board of Elections last week. The deadline for filing nominating petitions was July 13.

Among those incumbents who do face opposition, eight are running without primary challenges in a county that has been a traditional Democratic stronghold.