Rockaway Makes Big Gains in Queens GOP

By Rockaway Republican Club

It was a great election night for Rockaway in the Queens GOP primaries. While votes are still being counted, at least 35 locals were elected to County Committee in contested districts. The previous, Queens-GOP-appointed slate only had 14 people from the peninsula representing those districts. That is a 150% increase.

For the first time in memory, Rockaway also gained a local representative in the Orthodox Jewish community in Far Rockaway. Shmuel Ranells and his running mate, Margaret Powers of Belle Harbor, defeated two candidates from Howard Beach.

“This is something the Rockaway Republican Club has been discussing since the disappointing 2024 elections,” Paul King said. “We have so many members and volunteers. We must get them in the game to help the GOP grow and win local seats.”

In March, the RRC nominated 36 Rockaway residents in election districts (EDs) from Breezy Point to Arverne by the Sea (EDs 1-16, 18) and along Seagirt Avenue (ED 26). Rather than negotiate a unity slate, the Queens GOP chose to drop their nominees from off-peninsula and recruit its own (mostly) local candidates. Hence, the primaries. A mix of candidates won from each slate with only one of the victors in the abovementioned EDs being from outside Rockaway. That is what’s most important.

The RRC looks forward to expanding that number greatly in 2027. Rockaway deserves to nominate its own candidates and elect our own representatives.

In addition to Ranells, new county committee members from Rockaway will include Margaret Campione, Mary Glynn, Ann Coughlin, Darren Coursey, Ann Walsh, Brendan Glynn, Donald Gallagher, Anne-Marie McDonald-Smith, Patrick Connelly Jr., Elizabeth Hennessey, John Hennessey, Mary Dadario, Jennifer O’Connor, Philip McManus, Matt Sullivan, Beth Hanning, Anne Walsh, Bonnie Walsh, Jeffrey McMilleon, and Madeline Conway.

Paul King, the former candidate for Congress, won the primary to represent Breezy Point in ED 2. Other “incumbent” locals who will remain on county committee after Tuesday’s election include Richard Keane (Neponsit – ED 4), Ray Vann (Belle Harbor – ED 5), Rich Knott (Rock­away Beach – ED 13) and Powers (ED 26).

Additional results should be announced within one week. Rowan Powers-Velasquez, Brendan Glynn, Maureen Walsh, John Glynn, Karen Carr, Mary Whelan and Marty McManus are in races that are tied or too close to call. All of these candidates are Rockaway residents who will represent Rockaway.

In a statement to The Rockaway Times, Councilwoman Joann Ariola said, “Congratulations to all the candidates for seats on the Queens County Republican Committee who won their races on Tuesday! For those new members, welcome to the party, and for those that are returning, welcome back. I look forward to working with you all to elect more Common Sense candidates in the future.”

Regarding the Mayoral primary, the Rockaway Republican Club is shocked by the continued march to the left of the Democratic Party in New York. Zohran Mamdani is an avowed socialist who will decimate public safety, property values, and economic opportunity.

This makes electing Curtis Sliwa all the more urgent. It is time for all commonsense New Yorkers to stand and fight for our values and our rights.