Regina-Potter, Brannan Win Luck Of The Draw
The Board of Elections held the random drawing to determine how city council candidates will be listed on the primary ballot. The results for the 43rd District covering Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and parts of Bensonhurst and Bath Beach are as follows:
Republicans
- Lucretia Regina-Potter
- Bob Capano
- John Quaglione
- Liam McCabe
Democrats
- Justin Brannan
- Vince Chirico
- Kevin Peter Carroll
- Nancy Tong
- Khader El-Yateem
Quaglione Nabs Key Endorsement
John Quaglione (R), in addition to receiving the maximum in matching public funds from the Campaign Finance Board (CFB), was endorsed by the Port Authority Sergeants Benevolent Association (PASBA).
PASBA President Rich Hassmiller said Quaglione, “is the only candidate running who understands local government, local issues and can force City Hall to work for people like us. Quaglione’s nearly 20 years of experience working with Senator Martin Golden uniquely qualifies John Quaglione to solve the problems working New Yorkers face.”
McCabe Battles For Working Families Party Line
Republican candidate Liam McCabe this week used the opportunity to ballot (OTB) strategy to submit a dozen signatures on the left-leaning Working Families Party (WFP) line, as first reported in Crain’s.
The maneuver has the potential to kill Democrat Justin Brannan’s Working Families Party ballot line during the general election.
The Wilson-Pakula law enables any candidate to run on a party line other than his own. While Brannan won the endorsement of the WFP, under the same law, McCabe was able to solicit signatures from WFP voters in hopes to gain the ability to name a different candidate on the WFP line.
“Our objective is to stop Mayor de Blasio from coronating the next city councilman in South Brooklyn, said McCabe. “In my campaign travels, I came across tons of rank and file Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives and Working Families members who are completely opposed to Mayor de Blasio’s agenda and do not want his hand-picked choice to represent them in the City Council.
Representatives from the Working Families Party were not impressed.
“Trump Republicans know they can’t beat Justin Brannan on the merits, so they are trying to confuse voters by attempting to steal the WFP ballot line, which is the good housekeeping seal of approval for progressives, for their right-wing candidate. It’s pathetic and wrong and it won’t succeed,” WFP New York State Director Bill Lipton.
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The National Latino Officers Association today announced its enthusiastic endorsement of Liam McCabe for City Council District 43.
“I am continually impressed with Liam and his hard work and unwavering commitment to all of the people he is running to represent,” says Julio Diaz, President of the National Latino Officers Association. “Council candidate McCabe understands supports and respects the police officers who share his commitment to safety and community.”
McCabe also received maximum matching public funds from the Campaign Finance Board.
Capano Objects To Supervised Junkie Shooting Galleries
Republican candidate Bob Capano called on City Council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito to provide an update of the $100,000 study to research the “feasibility and impact” of New York City having a program that would provide a safe clean haven for drug addicts to mainline their drugs.
In September 2016 the city council announced the study that would allocate the taxpayer funds for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to conduct a 6 month study on the feasibility of opening “Supervised Injection Facilities.” These centers would allow addicts to inject illicit drugs like heroin under medical supervision with sterile syringes in a safe and clean setting, while the taxpayers of New York pay for it.
Capano, who opposed the study and the idea of supervised injection facilities said, “Drug dealers are true entrepreneurs; they’ll relocate close to a Supervised Injection Facility to better serve their customer; the addict. If one were to open close to 86th Street in Bay Ridge common sense tells you that there will be dealers setting up shop between the subway entrance and the facility.”
Carroll Gets Support from LGBT & Disabled Communities
Democrat Kevin Peter Carroll received the coveted maximum of public funds from the CFB and also received endorsements from the 504 Democratic Club and the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City.
The 504 Democratic Club is a NYC-based coalition of Democrats working towards inclusion of people with disabilities in the political and social fabric of society. The Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City is a citywide LGBT Democratic organization in New York City; the organization advocates for legislation that guarantees equality and fairness for the LGBT community.
“The Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City (SDNYC) is proud to endorse Kevin Peter Carroll,” said SDNYC President Rose Christ. “In today’s challenging political environment, SDNYC’s work to advance the priorities of NYC’s LGBT community is more important than ever and it is critical that we elect candidates like Kevin, who are committed to joining us in the fight for equality and fairness for all LGBT New Yorkers.”
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Carroll also took Republican Congressman Chris Collins to task for proposed bill, the Second Amendment Guarantee Act, which if passed would prohibit and state or municipality from imposing any gun control laws which are stricter than federal law.
This bill is beyond outrageous,” said Carroll. “Not only will it destroy the SAFE Act but it will disseminate the strict anti-gun laws that have helped crime continue to drop here in New York City. Collins himself admitted this is just a ploy to anger Gov. Cuomo. All I can say is ‘shame on Collins.’ He is a Congressman and he is introducing legislation which will put people’s lives at risk.”
El-Yateem Gets Dem Socialist and Planned Parenthood Approval
The Rev. Khader El-Yateem (D) was the one of the six candidates running for city council in District 43 to be awarded the maximum in matching public funds from the CFB.
In addition El-Yateem received his first national endorsement from the Democratic Socialist of America and a 100% approval rating from Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF). The PPAF fights to protect the right for women to access information and care they need — often in the face of extreme politicians trying to take it away.
Brannan Gets League Of Conservation Voters Endorsement
Democrat Justin Brannan received the League of Conservation Voters endorsement.
The New York League of Conservation Voters is one of eight transit advocacy groups who have called on public officials, including city council members, who are campaigning a comprehensive agenda on transit reform.
Their platform includes implementing the Fair Fare program to reduce fares for low-income riders, a city-wide network of bike lanes and additional Select-Bus service.
Chirico Gets Trade Union Endorsement
Democrat Vincent Chirico today received the endorsement of District Council 9 (DC9) of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT).
DC9 is a membership run organization of painters, decorators, wall covers, drywall finishers, sign painters, metal polishers, bridge and structural steel painters, civil service painters, lead abatement workers, glaziers and architectural metal glass workers, paint makers and allied tradesmen.
Davon Lomax, Political Director of DC9 stated, “District Council 9 is proud to endorse Vincent Chirico for the City Council. Like he has done throughout his career, on the Council, Vincent will stand up for working men and women across New York City, ensuring they have good jobs that pay fair wages. The more than 11,000 members and retirees of DC 9 are proud to stand with Vincent.”
