At least 5 to vie for Ackerman's seat

Queens Democrats plan to designate a new congressional candidate Monday morning following Rep. Gary Ackerman's surprise announcement that he will not seek re-election.

At least five hopefuls are vying for the seat: New York City Council Members Mark Weprin and Elizabeth Crowley; state Sen. Tony Avella; and Assembs. Grace Meng and Rory Lancman.

With the congressional primary set for June 26, political observers said the party would look to a candidate with the organization and resources to mount a campaign quickly.

"They're going to find somebody who's got money, who's got ambition, or who could raise money quickly and can win," said Democratic political consultant Hank Sheinkopf.

Queens Democrats also want to avoid a repeat of the special election last year when Republican Robert Turner defeated Democrat David Weprin in what was supposed to be a safe Democratic seat, he said.

Ackerman (D-Roslyn Heights), who represents the 5th District in Nassau, announced late Thursday that he would not run again for the office he's held since 1983. The 69-year-old said he made the decision on Wednesday because he felt it was time to do something different, though he has not made plans for life after office.

"I've lived and breathed, in addition to my wonderful family, this job, from morning to night seven days a week," Ackerman said. "There's other things in life as well, for . . . almost three decades I've not really done them."

New congressional district lines were being drawn by a judge-appointed magistrate after state legislators were unable reach an agreement. The new map was expected to largely return Ackerman to a Queens district similar to the one he won 30 years ago.

The Queens Democratic committee had planned to designate Ackerman for the seat Friday. A person familiar with the process said that party leaders will likely make a decision on a replacement over the weekend, ahead of the 8:30 a.m. meeting on Monday.

Ackerman had $499,906 in cash on hand at the end of last year, according to campaign finance records. He said he didn't know what he would do with the funds but wanted to help other Democrats.

Ackerman said wouldn't endorse any candidate at this stage to replace him.

Former Mayor Edward I. Koch on Friday endorsed Mark Weprin, who had served in his administration. "He would be a great congressman," Koch said.

Weprin said that if Queens County Democratic Chairman Rep. Joseph Crowley thinks he's the best candidate, then he wants to run. "He said he would get back to me on Monday," Weprin said. "I'm definitely thinking about it."

Meng, who represents Flushing, which has a large Asian-American population and is in the congressional district, said the open seat is a "tremendous opportunity" for the community.

"This is a community specifically in New York and the East Coast that has been underrepresented," Meng said.