Herman Farell Aide To Run For Soon-Vacant Uptown Assembly Seat

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A longtime aide of State Assemblyman Herman "Denny" Farrell is running to replace his boss in the 71st State Assembly District — which covers parts of Washington Heights, Inwood and Harlem — when Farrell retires in September.

Al Taylor, who currently serves as an elected Democratic District Leader and Farrell's chief of staff, announced his candidacy Tuesday for the soon-vacant assembly seat.

“I’m running to help build on the great legacy and service of Denny Farrell and set a new course forward to build a better future for all,” Taylor said Tuesday.

“As the next State Assemblyman, I will fight for good schools for all our children so every child has the chance to succeed, work to strengthen rent laws and protect tenants, fight to improve public transportation, which so many in this District rely on, yet we get some of the worst service, and continue my lifetime fight for social, economic and criminal justice for all.”

Taylor racked up a number of endorsements from members of Manhattan's Democratic Party establishment Tuesday including Farrell, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, State Senator Brian Benjamin and City Councilmen Mark Levine and Bill Perkins.

Farrell announced last week that he would retire in September, vacating the State Assembly seat he has held for more than 40 years. Farrell had previously announced that he would not seek reelection for his seat in 2018.

Farrell, 85, is deciding to retire before 2018 due to his advanced age and the demands of chairing the ways and means committee, he told the Daily News.

Photo by Hans Pennink/Associated Press