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Grodenchik Endorses Melinda Katz Afer Dropping Out of Queens BP Race

 Barry Grodenchik (right) with Congressman Joseph Crowley at his campaign kickoff in January
Barry Grodenchik (right) with Congressman Joseph Crowley at his campaign kickoff in January
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Barry Grodenchik's Campaign

QUEENS — After dropping out of the race for Queens Borough President earlier this week, Barry Grodenchik decided to endorse Melinda Katz, he said Thursday.

"Melinda has been a friend of mine for many years," said Grodenchik, who has been a staffer at Queens Borough Hall for more than a decade. "She is a fine person, a fine public servant and I am certain she will be an excellent borough president."

Grodenchik made his decision to quit the race after the Queens County Democratic Party endorsed Katz, a former City Councilwoman, Monday.

"We went as far as we felt we could go," said Grodenchik who resumed his job as deputy borough president which he left during his campaign. "And I felt that if we couldn't run a race that I thought had a really good chance of winning than maybe it was time to end it." 

The remaining candidates include City Councilmen Leroy Comrie and Peter Vallone Jr., two State Senators: Jose Peralta and Tony Avella and Aurelio “Tony” Arcabascio, a businessman who last year unsuccessfully challenged State Senator Michael Gianaris.

Current Queens Borough President Helen Marshall cannot run for re-election due to term limits.