Central Brooklyn’s Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA) voted at a special meeting this weekend to throw its support behind New York City Councilman, and former candidate for Lieutenant Governor Jumaane Williams in the race for Public Advocate rather than Bronx Assemblyman and former member of the Obama Administration Michael Blake.
The meeting was called after two leaders within the club, Chairman Henry Butler and Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Norther Crown Heights), publicly endorsed different candidates.
“This has not happened in recent memory,” said VIDA Executive Committee Member and former Assemblywoman Annette Robinson responding to questions. “There’s no rift, but a concern was expressed that protocol was not followed. The membership’s voices count and we want to make sure they are included”
Both Butler and Wright insisted their earlier endorsements were their own individual actions but acknowledged the special meeting was called to lock in VIDA’s “official endorsement.”
Wright, who was absent early in the meeting, walked in with her candidate who she first took to another meeting being held by the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, a group founded some 40 years ago that remains a powerful institution in the community. Earlier in the week Wright held a meet and greet for Blake at a local coffee shop featuring celebrity actress Alfre Woodard.
Approximately 40 members of VIDA voted by secret ballots that followed abbreviated campaign speeches by both Blake and Williams. The majority of VIDA members voted to endorse Williams, who had already left the event for another appointment.
VIDA member Annette Merritt cast her vote for Blake, “I supported him because he has experience in Washington and knows how it works. When he goes to Albany he goes with knowledge.”
Meanwhile, Roslyn Dixon, a VIDA member who voted for Williams, said she has followed him since his early days in the City Council. She said she knew who she was voting for even before the meeting began. “I was impressed by [Blake’s] history and his life experience but I never heard of him,” she said.
Wright said she too knew Williams would receive the club’s endorsement, “The club will always operate as a club and elected officials do not direct the club.”
Asked if she didn’t think her endorsement of Blake would be confusing to the public and membership, she said, “We don’t give enough credit to the electorate.”
Robinson said she understood Wright’s endorsement.
“We recognize there are relationships people establish with peers and colleagues and as leaders we find ourselves with competing interests,” said Robinson. “Tremaine will continue to do what she has to do. We recognize the club is in a different place and we will do right by the membership.”
New Yorkers will cast their ballots for Public Advocate on February 26 in the first ever citywide special election. There are 17 candidates seeking the office.
