Congressman Crowley addresses the crowd.

Earlier this evening, outspoken Councilman Peter Vallone officially launched his campaign for campaign for Queens Borough President. And, standing before an incredibly packed Greek restaurant in Astoria, both Mr. Vallone and his supporters made sure everyone was fully aware of the self-described conservative Democrat's independent streak.

"He was able to stand up to the Speaker when she was trying to bully him," said Norman Seabrook, the President of the New York City Correction Officers' Benevolent Association who officially endorsed Mr. Vallone today. "Can you imagine what he would do as borough president when given the opportunity to step forward, not only for the people in this room, but this borough? He is truly a man indicative of being able to become one of the greatest of all time."

For his part, Mr. Vallone touted his "fighter" credentials, comparing himself favorably to Mr. Seabrook and recounting his various political battles, including his high-profile, yet ultimately unsuccessful effort to stop Council Speaker Christine Quinn from renaming the Queensboro Bridge after former Mayor Ed Koch.

"He is a fighter and I am a fighter. I know how Norman fights and I use him as an example when I fight," Mr. Vallone said. "Norman knows who was out there--who was the loudest voice--when Queens didn't have the streets plowed. When we had the blackout of '06. Norman knows who stood up to the Mayor, who stood up to Con Ed. Norman knows who stood up to the Speaker and the Mayor when they took the Queensboro Bridge from us. No one else had the guts to do that."

And even though he is known to ruffle feathers, a bit of the political establishment was also present at today's event. Congressman Joe Crowley, the head of the Queens Democratic Party who has attended the campaign kickoffs of several of Mr. Vallone's rivals, effusively extolled Mr. Vallone while stating his current neutrality in the race.

"The Vallone family tradition goes way way back," Mr. Crowley said, heaping compliments on Mr. Vallone's father, former Council Speaker Peter Vallone, Sr. "Peter Vallone has been an outstanding and great city councilman. We know that there's a future for Peter Vallone in New York City politics. Although I haven't yet made decisions, seeing the presence that's here this evening sends a loud message as well, and I appreciate it. The way I look at it, no matter what I do, I'll make one ingrate and a lot of people mad at me. But that's the nature of politics."

"I've been known to be a pretty good ingrate," Mr. Vallone chimed in. "By the way."

(Photo: Facebook)

State Senator Jose Peralta, regarded as one of the front-runners in the hotly contested race for Queens Borough President, has the subtle backing of New York Mets and Major League Soccer executives, according to his latest disclosure  statements.

Peralta's district includes Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and Willets Point, where the real estate company headed by Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz won a high-profile bid--along with Related Companies--to turn the auto repair shop haven into a shopping and housing complex. The long-delayed Willets Point project is not without controversy, though Mr. Peralta and the Queens Democratic establishment are in support of the development.

The same is true of the plan to bring a Major League Soccer stadium to the park. Boosters like Mr. Peralta and local Assemblyman Francisco Moya argued it will provide jobs and a jump start to the local economy. Detractors fear the stadium will displace parkland that won't be readily replaced.

MLS's contributions to Mr. Peralta were relatively small, though somewhat hidden from view. Typically, donors list their occupations on the forms, though MLS Commissioner Don Garber, legal counsel Brett Lashbrook and MLS President Mark Abbott all left the occupation section blank. Each person donated $320, totaling $960, a tiny bit of the $134,680 that Mr. Peralta has raised thus far. They did not donate to any other candidates. MLS spokeswoman Risa Heller declined to comment on the various donations, as did the Mets.

"He's been supportive of the [stadium] concept on its merits," said Peralta spokesman Frank Sobrino. "His support of the soccer stadium is strong but contingent on finding suitable replacement parkland."

For their part, New York Mets Executive Vice President of Business Operation David Howard and Mets executive Jeffrey Wilpon hedged their bets by donating to both Mr. Peralta and Councilman Leroy Comrie, another borough president candidate, but the rest of the Mets brass focused on Mr. Peralta, including owner Saul Katz, who gave $500. In total, Mets executives and individuals with ties to Sterling Equities, the real estate company headed by Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, donated $1,830.

A crowded field of additional candidates have also been quickly raising cash to replace incumbent borough president Helen Marshall, who can't seek reelection due to term limits. Melinda Katz, a former assemblywoman and councilwoman, raised almost $300,000, while Councilman Peter Vallone is sitting on a $1 million campaign war chest. Bringing up the fundraising rear are State Sen. Tony Avella--who recently announced his bid but still only raised a paltry $6,857 and recent Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik, who pulled in almost $57,000. Mr. Comrie has curiously yet to file.

(Photo: Getty)

Councilwoman Melinda Katz formally kicked off her campaign for Queens Borough President last night, and in attendance among the Democratic pols and donors was her boyfriend, Curtis Sliwa, the outspoken radio show host and television personality, dressed in his customary Guardian Angels uniform and red beret. Since he has a rather unique relationship with Ms. Katz, we thought to ask him about his role in her campaign.

"I've been assigned to do everything, which means I'm good at nothing. Which means, 'Stay out of the way Curtis, don't embarrass me in front of my fellow Democrats,'" he answered. "I would say, based on my many statements throughout the years about Democrats, I've had to be extraordinarily careful when, all of a sudden, I come eyeball-to-eyeball with someone who's eye-fornicating me for something I've said for six years ago and I've got to suck it up, when normally I'd never suck it up. But for the good of the campaign, I've got to suck it up."

Addressing why he needs Ms. Katz to win, Mr. Sliwa cited both his desire to avoid homelessness and his two children with the aspiring borough president.

"Look, I don't want to have to take out a timeshare on a bench in Cunningham Park, either I get out there and campaign and do some heavy lifting or I'm going to be sleeping on a park bench here in Queens," he replied. “More than a formal endorsement, remember I have two kids at stake here! If I want to see my kids I better be out there doing lit-drops, knocking on doors. You know, I have an influence with some people, I can just stare and glare at them and say, 'You want to vote for Melinda, right?'"

Before departing, Politicker made sure to ask Mr. Sliwa when we might hear wedding bells.

"Well, I'm dealing with a very independent and autonomous woman, so I have to wait for the right time when I've earned brownie points and been a good boy, and maybe when I pop the question, she'll say 'yes,'" he mused.

As to whether that time might come before Election Day in 2013, he said, "That's a lot of Cracker Jack I got to eat between now and then, trying to hope I get a ring in one of those boxes."

Joe Crowley playing baseball. (Photo: Getty)

Former Councilwoman Melinda Katz is kicking off her campaign to replace term-limited Borough President Helen Marshall at Portofino Ristorante in Forest Hills tonight. Joining her will be none other than the man who leads the Queens Democratic Party, Congressman Joe Crowley. However, his presence at her party doesn't necessarily imply Mr. Crowley is backing Ms. Katz in the crowded field.

Indeed, a reader passes along a kickoff event invitation for State Senator José Peralta's campaign for Ms. Marshall's job as well, which Mr. Crowley is also attending.

The duel appearances are interesting, as Mr. Crowley is often the type to endorse a candidate in contested Democratic primaries and work his hardest to get him or her elected. However, with a diverse slate of contenders that also includes Councilmen Leroy Comrie and Peter Vallone, as well as Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchick, perhaps Mr. Crowley simply has too many friends in the race to pick and choose just yet.

Many political insiders have long considered Mr. Comrie the borough president candidate Mr. Crowley favored, but some are now speculating Mr. Comrie's sluggish fundraising could hinder his chances to earn the official nod. It remains to be seen whether Mr. Crowley will attend Mr. Comrie's kickoff event--or anyone else's, for that matter.

We've reached out to the Queens County Democratic Party and will update if they have any further comment.

View the invitation below:

State Senator Peralta (Photo: Facebook)

Last month, State Senator José Peralta formed a campaign committee for a possible run for Queens Borough President, and, at least according to fundraising requests being circulated on his behalf, he seems to be moving forward with his campaign.

In an email from political consultant Greg Petzold, which a reader said was being sent to organizations and non-profits in Queens, Mr. Petzold directly indicates Mr. Peralta is campaigning for the borough presidency.

"I hope all is well," he writes. "Senator Peralta asked that I follow up with you regarding your support for his effort for Queens Borough President. He would appreciate an opportunity to discuss his vision for Queens and the City at length and any help financially you can provide would be greatly appreciated."

Attached to the email was a contribution card for the recipients to fill out.

Other likely contenders for the seat, which won't be open until 2013 when the incumbent, Helen Marshall, is term-limited out, include Council Members Peter Vallone and Leroy Comrie. One candidate who previously seemed interested, Assemblywoman Grace Meng, is currently campaigning for congress, which, if she wins, would seem to remove her from the field of potential candidates.

Mr. Petzold declined to comment.