The 26th AD Republican Committee has endorsed Auburndale lawyer and lifelong Northeast Queens resident Dan Halloran for City Council in the 19th Council District. The district was previously represented by popular Republican Mike Abel until he was term limited out of office and encompasses the neighborhoods of College Point, Whitestone, Auburndale, Bayside, Bay Terrace, Douglaston, and Little Neck. Incumbent Councilmember Tony Avella has pledged to honor the two-term limit as passed by the voters and is currently running for Mayor.

The committee met with a number of prospective candidates seeking the GOP’s endorsement and was extremely pleased at both the level of interest and caliber of several well qualified candidates who asked to be interviewed.

In accepting the endorsement, Halloran said, “I am honored by Chairman Ragusa’s support and the confidence he and his committee have in my campaign and our message of restoring fiscal responsibility and accountability to our government.”

District Leader and Queens GOP Chair Phil Ragusa commented, “Dan is an outstanding candidate and will be a terrific City Councilman. I could not be prouder that he is our nominee.”

Vince Tabone, District Chairman, remarked, “Dan has the judgment, energy and ideas we need in City Hall.”

Later this month Halloran will be formally nominated at the Queens County Republican Party’s Executive session for the party’s endorsement. Halloran has indicated he will be reaching out to area leaders in the 22nd, 24th, 25th and 27th Assembly Districts in the coming days.

Halloran is planning to hold an official campaign kick-off event next month at Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse on Bell Boulevard in Bayside from 2-5PM Sunday April 5, 2009.