Joseph Kasper runs for a seat on the bench nearly every year on principal. However, the next time he runs, he’ll likely be running for reelection.
In what was one of the more surprising results of Tuesday’s election, Kasper, a perennial Queens judicial candidate, held the lead over Democratic nominee and City Councilmember Paul Vallone in the race for Civil Court judge in Queens’ 3rd Municipal Court District, unofficial Board of Elections results show.
Kasper, the Republican nominee in the race, was up by around 1,700 votes with 98 percent of scanners counted Wednesday morning. With around 2,400 absentee ballots in the district left to count, Vallone would have to win over 70 percent of the uncounted ballots in order to secure the victory.
Not only does Kasper’s lead come in a borough where Democrats greatly outnumber Republicans, but his opponent is about as strong an opponent one could run against.
Vallone, who has served in the council since 2013, is a member of what may be the last political dynasty in Queens.
