If it looks like a deal, smells like a deal and sounds like a deal then the odds are pretty strong a deal has been made – that is except in the world of Brooklyn politics.
That after self-professed reformist candidate, Attorney Robert (Bobby) Carroll denied he cut a deal after dropping out of the Democratic Male District Leader race to pursue the suddenly open 44th Assembly District seat after 32-year incumbent Assemblyman James Brennan announced yesterday will not seek re-election.
The heart of the district is Windsor Terrace and Kensington with considerable chunks of Park Slope, Borough Park, Flatbush and Ditmas Park.
Brennan, who supported Carroll in his race against incumbent Male District Leader Jacob Gold, retired just days before the petitioning process to get on the ballot for the September primary. As KCP reported on the district leader race, Gold said if Carroll dropped out of that race, he would support him for the assembly.
“There was no deal. He decided to stop running for district leader and focus on the the assembly opening where he can do more to achieve on issues of importance to him,” said Carroll spokesperson Bob Liff.
Several assembly members also serve as district leaders including neighboring Assemblyman Dov Hikind. However, Gold is a longtime Democratic Party favorite – the exact type of person that Carroll denounces as a reformer.
Additionally, Kings County Democratic Party Boss Frank Seddio confirmed that he would support Carroll as long as he supported Gold and veteran female district leader Lori Citron Knipel.
Meanwhile, one Orthodox Jewish leader source in the district said that Carroll is an unknown quantity in the sizable Orthodox Jewish community in the district. The source sounded less than thrilled with Carroll’s candidacy.
“It’s funny how Robert Carroll was running as a reformer and as soon as there was an opportunity to make a backroom deal he was more than happy to do so,” said the source.
Among the names being bantered around to possibly run for the seat is Pinny Ringel, a longtime Orthodox Jewish community and political activist, and current aide to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Sources also said the Working Families Party, who did not return calls at post time, may also look at fielding a candidate.
