Forest Hills Election: Meng Wins, Addabbo & Maio Fight For Senate Seat

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng was declared the winner in Forest Hill's first big result on Election Night, according to an AP projection about 10:30 p.m.

Meng, who faced off against Republican candidate Thomas J. Zmich, was one of several Queens politicians who battled for the right to represent Forest Hills.

The neighborhood covers part of the state’s 6th congressional district, the 15th state Senate district, and Assembly District 28. This year’s players include names widely known to Queens, with some candidates running for reelection or others giving the race another shot.

Democratic candidates are most favored in the city overall, but residents are focused on how Congress and Assembly hopefuls aim to address bail reform, expanding bike lanes, transportation, infrastructure upgrades, the influx of migrants, and other key issues.

New Yorkers can view results for statewide, attorney general, and other races here.

(Note: Totals are based on preliminary Board of Elections data)

State Senate District 15

The State Senate District 15 race wasn't called but preliminary BOE numbers showed as of 11:30 p.m. that Joseph Addabbo Jr. was poised to win the seat.

• Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D): 55.55% (27,850)
• Danniel S. Maio (R): 39.39% (19,747)

(94.86% of scanners reporting, as of 11:35 p.m.)

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. is running for reelection against Republican Danniel S. Maio to represent District 15, which covers Forest Hills, Ozone Park, the Rockaway, and other areas in Queens.

Addabbo comes from a political lineage including his father, Joseph P. Addabbo Sr., who served 13 terms in the House of Representatives. Addabbo was first elected to the New York City Council and then to the state Senate in 2008.

The Queens native serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering. He’s also a member of the Senate Committees on Aging, Civil Service and Pensions, Children and Families, Education, and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.

Maio, a mapmaker from Forest Hills and former candidate for Queen's borough president, also ran for the seat in Queens' 28th Assembly District on an independent party line called "COVID-19 Stories."

If elected, Maio has pledged to repeal bail reform, close homeless shelters, and prioritize transportation and parking spaces over parks, according to his campaign page.

6th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng ran for reelection against Republican Thomas J. Zmich to represent District 6, which covers Forest Hills, Flushing, and other neighborhoods.

Meng, who will serve her sixth term in the House of Representatives, pledged to advocate for lower interest rates on student loans, investments in programs that promote energy efficiency, and providing support for immigrants arriving in the city.

Zmich was also defeated in the race for the seat in Congress against Meng in 2020.

He supported stricter immigration policies, harsher penalization against drug dealers, and increased federal funds to help veterans.

28th Assembly District

The Assembly District 28 race wasn't called but preliminary BOE numbers showed as of 11:30 p.m. that Andrew Hevesi was expected to win the seat.

• Andrew Hevesi (D): 51.07% (17,232)
• Michael Conigliaro (R): 39.23% (13,235)

(95.56% of scanners reporting, as of 11:35 p.m.)

Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi is running against Republican Michael Conigliaro for Assembly District 28, which covers Forest Hills, Rego Park, Glendale, and other areas.

Hevesi was first elected as New York’s Assembly Member for District 28 in 2005. He serves as the Chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Children and Families.

During his terms, Hevesi passed a law raising the age of juvenile delinquency to 12 from 7 years old. If elected, he will focus on addressing crime and safety issues in the neighborhoods.

Conigliaro, a Kew Gardens native, is the President of the Community Education Council in the District 24 school board, as well as a law office manager.

Conigliaro advocates for tax breaks for small businesses, repealing bail reform and stopping the construction of new homeless shelters.