Cuomo Forced To Call Special Elections
A federal judge yesterday ruled that if Gov. Andrew Cuomo doesn’t set a date for a special election to fill the vacant 11th Congressional seat soon he will personally set the date for an election.
Eastern District Judge Jack Weinstein gave Cuomo until Friday to present him with a convincing argument for postponing the replacement vote or he would take the action.
Cuomo’s office said in a statement following the court decision that it was their intention all along to call a special election for the Staten Island and Brooklyn-based seat to go forward in the near future.
“As reflected in the state’s papers filed last week, the governor will announce the date for the special election for New York’s 11th Congressional District shortly, consistent with our constitutional obligation and in a manner that balances both the economic impact of the election as well as the need for fair representation,” said spokeswoman Melissa DeRosa.
The Staten Island Republican Committee has already tabbed District Attorney Daniel Donovan as the GOP candidate. The Staten Island Democratic Committee has yet to pick a candidate with Brooklyn Assemblyman William Colton and City Councilman Vincent Gentile being the leading candidates.
In issuing a date for a special election, Cuomo may also call one for the 43rd Assembly seat that Karim Camara will soon leave to work in the Cuomo administration.
Sources say that the Kings County Democratic Chair Frank Seddio with the advice of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will most likely give female district leader Shirley Patterson the Democratic Party line over male district leader Geoffrey Davis.
Davis said if that happens he will run on another party line.
William, Eugene React To Haitian Tragedy
City Council Members Jumaane Williams and Mathieu Eugene both issued statements following the death of at least 16 people who were killed and 78 injured yesterday when a Carnival float hit an overhead power line in Port-au-Prince, setting off a stampede of bystanders.
“My Condolences and my deepest prayers go out to the victims and relatives to the horrific accident in Haiti that has led to the tragic loss of many lives today,” said Eugene. “Haiti has had to endure so much pain and suffering in recent years and the accident this morning is yet another calamity that the country must endure. Let us be united in our thoughts and prayers for all Haitians as this morning’s tragedy is one that is truly felt in all parts of the nation.
Camara Keynote Speaker in Education Forum
Crown Heights Assemblyman Karim Camara is scheduled as the keynote speaker tonight in a rally to support Gov. Cuomo’s Education Opportunity Agenda.
