Queens: U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) announced Friday that she will not launch a campaign against U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), eliminating a major obstacle to the upstate Democratic senator’s spot on the 2010 ballot. Comment.

Assembly District 38: Gov. David Paterson called a special election Friday to fill disgraced former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio’s (D-Richmond Hill) for Sept. 15, the same day the city will be holding primary elections. Comment.

Queens: A Queens Supreme Court judge denied motions by state Sen. Hiram Monserrate (D-East Elmhurst) to throw out his indictment and suppress evidence in his pending case on assault charges last Thursday, setting a Sept. 14 start date for his trial. Comment.

Council District 20: At a City Council District 20 candidates forum at Flushing Library last Thursday, CUNY Professor Joyce Moy set the ground rules early. Comment.

Council District 26: The shape of the Democratic race for City Councilman Eric Gioia’s (D-Sunnyside) seat shifted Tuesday morning as the city Board of Elections invalidated most of candidate Kwame Smalls’ petition signatures, eliminating him from the race. Comments (1).

Queens: State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans), then Democratic majority leader, spent more than $6,500 on a box at Saratoga Race Course to “entertain supporters” just four days after the June 8 coup that temporarily gave Republicans the control of the state Senate, campaign finance records show. Comment.

Queens: The former head of a Long Island City-based electric company that hired union workers represented by disgraced former state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin pleaded guilty Friday to making tens of thousands of dollars in illegal payments to the corrupt ex-legislator, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan said. Comment.

Council District 29: When Albert Cohen knocks on fellow Bukharians’ doors to speak to them about his City Council race or to register them to vote, the first Bukharian to run for city office is frequently met with hesitation. Comments (2).

Assembly District 38: Gov. David Paterson intends to call a special election to fill the seat vacated by former state Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, according to an e-mail written by the lawyer for the city Board of Elections. Comment.

Council District 26: The race for City Councilman Eric Gioia’s (D-Sunnyside) seat heated up a bit last week as the five candidates sparred over issues of affordable housing. Comment.

Council District 26: In a field crowded with Democratic candidates, 24-year-old Long Island City resident Angelo Maragos is not willing to be a footnote. Comment.

Council District 28: All Lynn Nunes and Mireille Leroy wanted to do was to get their shot to represent their community in the City Council and now both Democratic candidates said their campaign signatures are being challenged for no reason. Comment.

Council District 31: City Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton) said the neighborhood has improved drastically over the eight years he has been in office, but more could be done to make life better for his constituents. Comment.

Queens: U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) has not yet officially announced her bid to challenge U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in the 2010 Democratic primary because she has been busy focusing on health care and immigration issues in the House, a spokesman for the congresswoman said. Comment.

Council District 23: The three candidates running for the City Council seat currently held by Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis) took their campaign pitches to North Shore Towers for a candidates’ forum where most of the attention was focused on co-op and senior issues. Comment.

Council District 20: It was billed as a debate, but it turned into an airing of dirty laundry. Comment.

Council District 29: City Council candidate Heidi Harrison Chain’s donations, including more than $20,000 she gave to herself, boosted her to top of the pack financially in the last filing period, but Karen Koslowitz raised more money than any of the other candidates vying for Councilwoman Melinda Katz’s (D-Forest Hills) seat in that time period. Comments (1).