Kings County Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio, today, challenged disgruntled Democrat Sam Pierre saying that if he wants to mount a third party campaign against Assemblywoman Roxanne Persuad for the open 19th Senate District seat to bring it on.
“If he (Pierre) wants to run, he should run.I would never stop anyone from running,” said Seddio. “This is America. Everyone has the right to run for office.”
Seddio’s remarks came following Pierre’s announcement to KCP this week that he was seriously considering running against Persaud on either the Independence or Working Family Party line.
Pierre said he felt betrayed by Seddio, who he considered his political family, because not only was he not given the nod to run for the senate seat, but because Seddio has refused to say who will replace Persaud in her 59th Assembly District Seat in the likelihood she will win the senate seat.
Seddio also took umbrage at Pierre’s allegation he somehow does not support progressive candidates from the growing Caribbean community, noting that both Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte and City Council Member Jumaane Williams come from the Caribbean community.
The senate district opened up with the recent felony conviction of former State Sen. John Sampson on obstructing justice charges. It includes Canarsie and East Flatbush with part of Mill Basin and a sliver of Sheepshead Bay.
Governor Cuomo is expected to call a special election for the seat in November.
