County Dems Exclude Clarke On Nominating Petitions
Kings County Democratic Party Executive Director Jeffrey C. Feldman blasted out an email this week to the borough’s 42 Democratic District Leaders asking them to return to make sure Congressional primary petitions for candidates by April 4 so to be in plenty of time to wrap the petitions and turn them into the Board of Elections when they are due between April 9-12 with at least 1,250 valid signatures of registered Democrats.
Feldman noted that the County was collected signatures for U.S. Reps Hakeem Jeffries and Jerrold Nadler, along with Democratic Primary Candidate Max Rose, who is seeking to challenge the winner of the U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Southern Brooklyn, Statin Island)/Michael Grimm Republican Primary in the June general election.
Curiously missing from these names was U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Brownsville, Midwood, Park Slope) who is facing a primary challenge against Adem Bunkeddeko.
That said, Team Clarke is holding a Day of Action: Petitioning for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke event tomorrow.
Brooklyn Young Democrats Member Keshia L. Adams is organizing the petition drive, although Brooklyn Young Democrats President John Wasserman said the club has of yet endorsed anyone in the primary.
Bunkeddeko, a young Harvard grad has raised a considerable amount of money, and he has actively been making the rounds at all the clubs in the Congressional district. While the thinking among most pundits is Clarke is a strong favorite to win, many are happy to see Bunkeddeko run as it’s good for democracy and to force Clarke to work a little harder for it.
Clarke’s petition drive is slated for between 1-5 p.m. tomorrow, March 24 with the meetup spot being 1123 Nostrand Avenue in Flatbush.
Hikind Sounding Like A Candidate For Re-Election
Rumors that Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park) is seriously considering retirement after 36 years in the assembly appear to be greatly exagerated.
After KCP reported the rumors a few weeks ago, along with the rumor that de Blasio intergovernmental relations aide Simcha Eichenstein is interested in the seat, Hikind got on the horn to KCP to reiterate he loves the work he does, and has every intention of continuing to do it.
“I’ve hiried new people, and continue fighting for people in this district, helping them and calling it the way I see it,” said Hikind. “I take positions, and do things I’m very proud of. All my life, I stood up for what was right whether people like me or not.”
Hikind, who has excellent constituent services, said being an assembly member is more than just running up to Albany.
“It’s standing up and fighting for things. I’m not afraid to rock the boat. At the end of the day, I’m there for people, and when you walk the streets everybody has a story about things my office has done to help them.”
