Three Democrats are competing in northeast Queens this month for a shot at unseating Republican City Councilmember Vickie Paladino in November.

Tony Avella, a former state senator and City Councilmember, has the advantage of name recognition.

“It’s a very warm feeling when you knock on the door and someone comes and says, ‘Tony, don’t worry. I’m voting for you,’” Avella told NY1 recently in Whitestone.

Also on the ballot is Paul Graziano, who stresses that his ally-turned-rival Avella “lost to Vickie in 2021,” even if it was by fewer than 400 votes.

Graziano himself has earned recognition as a land use expert and vocal defender of single-family zoning.

“I’m actually the one who’s been protecting these neighborhoods for decades,” Graziano said while gesturing to homes in Douglaston.

The third Democrat in this month’s primary is first-time candidate Christopher Bae, whose fundraising and spending are outpacing those of his opponents.

Bae is a former Queens assistant district attorney.

“At the end of the day, public safety is my No. 1 concern,” Bae said recently, speaking after a Bayside news conference at which he was endorsed by state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic.

Council District 19 in Queens includes the neighborhoods of Whitestone, Bay Terrace and Auburndale.

It is dominated by homeowners.

“Northeast Queens is a part of suburban life in an urban environment,” Avella explained in an interview on his stoop. “If we lose this, we lose it forever. People bought their homes. They live here for a reason — for the quality of life, for the schools.”

Avella’s many endorsements in this primary include Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and the Queens County Democratic Party.

He says experience matters. Bae says representation matters.

Both are both backed by the United Federation of Teachers.

In addition to Rozic, Bae is also endorsed by state Sens. Jessica Ramos and John Liu.

“We said this from the start. We need to build a broad coalition of support, across the political spectrum, across the communities to really make sure that our message gets out there,” Bae said. “That folks know we’re actually fighting for a safer and stronger Queens.”

Graziano says he never sought the UFT’s nod because he opposes Medicare Advantage.

“Education I take very, very seriously, but I cannot support a union that’s working against its own members,” Graziano said.

Graziano wants affordable housing construction concentrated in other parts of the city that are already zoned for high density.

And he’s combatting some implementation of Local Law 97, which seeks to curb gas emissions.

“Exempt middle-income coops and condos,” Graziano said. “I don’t think we should exempt the big, giant buildings that are generating these gasses in Manhattan.”