As the race to get the Democratic Party nod for the upcoming 46th Assembly District special election moves into the home stretch, high powered Bay Ridge attorney Cody McCone is making a strong move to catch Coney Island front runner Pamela Harris.
McCone, the son of a Chicago firefighter and a debate teacher mother, moved to Bay Ridge 30 years ago to work with famous progressive Irish City Councilman and attorney Paul O’Dwyer, who made a name for himself opposing the Vietnam War and defending African-Americans during the Civil Rights days.
“I’m a hardcore Democrat and oriented with the Working Families Party as well. My issues and their issues seem to jell,” said McCone. “I’m a liberal and I think it’s a shame people use the P-word (progressive) instead of the L-word (liberal).”
McCone, who also serves on the Kings County Judicial Screening Panel, said he’s recently contacted the 80 members of the district’s Democratic County Committee that will ultimately decide who will get the nod when they meet on Sept. 15. Sources say he will also host a meet-and-greet for the committee at Gargiulio’s Restaurant in Coney Island before the vote.
McCone said should he get the party’s nod, he will work hard to represent all parts of the district, and although he lives in the politically powerful Bay Ridge, this includes Coney Island, where he’s spent a lot of time.
“I’m the only candidate who’s played ice hockey at the Abe Starks Arena for the last 30 years, and handball at the Ladder 161 Firehouse in Coney Island,” he said.
While Harris garnered the most votes from the Shorefront Democratic Club Executive Committee to get the nod, 46th Assembly Democratic District Leader Delia Schack decided to let Harris, McCone (who had the second most amount of votes) and former City Councilman Michael Nelson make their case to committee members and let the best person win.
Longtime Coney Island Committee Member and activist Brian Gotlieb said Harris remains the frontrunner, but all three nominees bring something to the table.
“I think any of the candidates have a chance. Each have been active and involved in different parts of community. Pam more so in Coney Island. Cody more so in Bar Ridge and Mike Nelson is a former school board member and city councilman,” said Gotlieb, adding he’s undecided who’ he’ll vote for.
“I want to hear what they have to say and hear their vision for the district,” he said.
The seat became vacant in early July after Alec Brook-Krasny stepped down. Governor Cuomo is expected to call a special election for November.
