Queens Assembly Primaries: Hooks KO's Monserrate; DSA Defeats Carmona

Assembly District 35 (East Elmhurst, North Corona, LeFrak City): Another attempted comeback did not pan out for former State Senator and City Council Member Hiram Monserrate of East Elmhurst. Larinda Hooks defeated the retired NYPD officer turned felon and accused domestic abuser by a wider than expected 59-41%. Hooks, formerly the director of senior services at a local community center and a board member of the East Elmhurst North Corona Civic Association, was favored by the unusual alliance of Queens County Democrats and the Working Families Party. Hooks will be the next Assemblymember, as Republicans did not field a candidate to replace 11-term incumbent Jeffrion Aubry (D).

Assembly District 37 (Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside): Second time was not the charm for Johanna Carmona, a former sex crimes prosecutor and aide to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. With 99% reporting, Carmona won just 32% of the vote against 58% for Working Families Party and DSA-backed union organizer Claire Valdez of Ridgewood. Current Assemblymember Juan Ardila (D) pulled just 10% of ballots cast. Ardila has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct since his last election, but refused calls to step down. This district has become very left-leaning since the 2022 retirement of long-time Assemblymember Cathy Nolan (D).