Fight Back N.Y. to Target Padavan

Fight Back New York, the political action committee dedicated to removing state legislators who vote against equality, will announce its newest target later today: state senator Frank Padavan of Queens.

In a fund-raising appeal to supporters on Monday, Fight Back New York will announce its belief that Tony Avella, a former New York City council member and Democratic mayoral candidate, can prevail in his challenge against Padavan, who joined all his Republican colleagues in the senate by voting against a marriage equality bill last year. Padavan, who has represented his Northeast Queens district for almost 40 years, narrowly won reelection in 2008.

"We've been doing our research, analyzing the most competitive races across the state," says the e-mail announcement from Fight Back New York. "Based on our research, we believe we can replace Padavan with Tony Avella, the pro-equality challenger who is running a strong campaign against him."

Last month in the primary elections Fight Back New York helped defeat state senator Bill Stachowski of Buffalo, one of eight Democrats who voted against the marriage equality bill that failed the senate by a 38-24 vote. State senator Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx, the most outspoken opponent of gay rights in the senate, prevailed in his reelection bid despite being targeted by the PAC.