Queens Assemblyman Brian Barnwell Drops Re-Election Bid

QUEENS, NY — Brian Barnwell abruptly dropped his re-election bid to the State Assembly on Tuesday, leaving little time to choose a replacement for his Queens seat.

"It is with sadness that I announce that I will not be seeking re-election to the NYS Assembly," Barnwell, 35, said in a tweet Tuesday morning. "It has been a true honor to serve, and I will never forget that I owe everything to the kindness of the People who allowed me to serve as their representative."

Barnwell has served in the Assembly since 2017, representing Woodside, Maspeth, Middle Village and parts of Astoria, Long Island City and Sunnyside. He took office after upsetting longtime member Margaret Markey in the Democratic primary.

Barnwell provided no reason for his decision, and did not immediately respond to questions from Patch. Compounding the confusion, Barnwell had submitted petition signatures to the state board of elections last week in order to get on the June primary ballot, according to state records compiled by Queens district leader Émilia Decaudin and activist Aaron Narraph Fernando.

It was unclear, however, whether Barnwell submitted paperwork by a midnight Monday deadline to formally accept or decline a spot on the ballot. If he declined the spot, an appointed committee would have a few days to pick a replacement.

If Barnwell accepted, on the other hand, he would be stuck on the June Democratic primary ballot unless he moves out of state, dies, or seeks another office.

Two other people are seeking the 30th District seat, according to petitioning records: Democrat Ramon P. Cando and Republican Sean S. Lally.

If recently-redrawn redistricting maps hold, the 30th District's bounds will be shifted eastward starting this year, shedding territory in Long Island City while gaining ground in Elmhurst and Jackson Heights.