A Queens attorney is challenging a long-time incumbent for an assembly seat in central and western Queens.
NY1's Clodagh McGowan reports.
Brian Barnwell has deep roots in Woodside. The Assembly candidate's family has lived in the middle class neighborhood since the 1930's. He says he can relate to people living in the district.
"Over the last few years I've becoming more and more concerned about the state of the middle class," said Barnwell.
Barnwell says he heard many of those concerns while working as the director of special events for City Councilman Costa Constantinides.
So, the attorney decided to challenge the current 30th District Assemblywoman Marge Markey, who's held the seat since 1998.
"We need change,” said Barnwell. “Right now we've had the same people in power for two decades."
Barnwell says the state needs pension tax reforms to put more money in senior citizens' pockets.
"Because let's face it, the government's not spending our money correctly," he said.
And he says, especially in light of recent corruption scandals in Albany, new blood could help change the system.
He says the state should ban lawmakers from earning outside income and close LLC loopholes, which he says allow developers to give virtually unlimited campaign donations to candidates.
"I'm an outsider obviously. I'm not in the political system, I'm not an incumbent. I don't see any help coming from the system itself. It needs to be reformed from the outside," said Barnwell.
While some of Barnwell's critics might say he's too young to hold office, the 29 year-old says his age is an asset.
"The fact is that people who are in power who are much older than I am are not getting the job done," he said.
Barnwell has already hit the ground running. He says he's raised more than $30,000 since announcing his bid last year.
We also reached out to Assemblywoman Markey’s office for this story, but did not receive a response.
Primary elections will take place in September.