Markey may have primary opponent

From the Queens Chronicle:

Democratic sources are suggesting one longtime member of the state Assembly may face a serious challenge in this year’s Democratic primary.

Dmytro Fedkowskyj, who served as Queens’ member on the Panel for Educational Policy, the city Department of Education’s policy-making arm, from 2008 through 2013, may run for the Assembly seat in the 30th District.

That would put Fedkowskyj, a Middle Village resident, up against 15-year-incumbent Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth). The 30th District is based in Maspeth, but also includes Woodside and parts of Astoria, Long Island City, Middle Village and Sunnyside.

In a statement, Fedkowskyj said he has not yet decided if he would enter the race, but kept the option open.

Markey was elected to the Assembly in 1998, succeeding Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), now chairman of the Queens Democratic Party.

Some Democrats see Markey as vulnerable because she has rarely faced a competitive election. Since taking office, she has never had a competitive Democratic primary race and was unopposed by Republicans between 2000 and 2006.

According to several Democratic insiders, Fedkowskyj may be just the first of many Queens Democrats eyeing challenges to incumbents this year.

“Many see the party leadership as being the weakest it’s been in a while,” said one longtime Democratic insider, saying Crowley’s defeat in the mayoral race, in which he backed former Council Speaker Christine Quinn; public advocate’s race, wherein the party initially backed Reshma Saujani who failed to make the runoff; and in the speaker’s election, during which Crowley endorsed the ill-fated bid of Councilman Dan Garodnick (D-Manhattan), may have left the impression that the party’s establishment is weak.