Rose frontrunner in six-person field for Donovan seat

The Blue Wave that is expected to propel Democrats to victory in the midterm elections across the country in November has also emboldened Democrats here. Six Democrats have stepped forward to run for the Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island congressional seat held by Republican Dan Donovan.

U.S. Army veteran Max Rose, a Purple Heart recipient, has emerged as the frontrunner in the crowded field, if the money he has raised and the number of endorsements he has received are any indication.

Heading into the final week before the June 26 primary, Rose had racked up endorsements from high-profile lawmakers like U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Assemblymember Peter Abbate, Councilmembers Justin Brannan and Mark Treyger and the Congressional Black Caucus, among others.

Rose has raised nearly $2 million for his campaign to date, according to the Federal Elections Commission.

But with voter turnout expected to be low, the race in New York’s 11th Congressional District could hold surprises, according to political observers, who said anything can happen. The congressional district takes in all or parts of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Gravesend, and covers all of Staten Island.

Rose is running against fellow Democrats Michael DeVito Jr., a Marine veteran and a senior director at the Staten Island Young Adult Borough Center; Zach Emig, a bond trader; Radhakrishna Mohan, an information technology specialist for New York State; Paul Sperling, a real estate salesperson and property manager; and Omar Vaid, a prop man and set decorator for television shows.

The winner will take on either Donovan or former Congressmember Michael Grimm, who is challenging the incumbent in the Republican Primary.