Brooklyn’s Lambda Independent Democratic (LID) club last Wednesday held its endorsement meeting for June’s primary election for public advocate and several open judicial seats as well as the special election to fill the now-vacant 45h District City Council seat.
LID, which went with former Speaker of the City Council Melissa Mark-Viverito for Public Advocate in February’s special election, threw its weight behind the new Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, for the June primary. Notably, Williams himself showed up to ask for LID’s backing, something he did not do when LID held its endorsement meeting for February’s Special Election.
In a nod to LID’s growing presence in Brooklyn as a borough-wide political organization, and even with no other candidates announcing a primary challenge, Williams made the stop at LID’s meeting on Wednesday to personally appeal for the club’s support. The club responded to that appeal.
“Jumaane Williams is a fighter. And that’s what the LGBTQ community has always needed,” said LID President Jared Arader. “With pride, we’re honored to join the chorus of progressives citywide in supporting him as our Public Advocate.”
The endorsement of Williams was not the night’s exciting contest. The only competitive legislative election of the season–the race to replace Jumaane Williams in the City Council–saw multiple candidates asking for LID’s support, and the club overwhelmingly went with Farah Louis, Williams’s former Deputy Chief of Staff.
“I support Farah Louis because of her sincere conviction for lifting up all New Yorkers,” said Jared Trujillo, a member of LID and an Ex Officio member of its board. “She not only understands the issues that impact low-income folks, but she has tangible plans for how to help. It is rare to find a politician that has a genuine passion for helping the community, combined with the intelligence, motivation and talent to make a difference.”
Before Williams officially assumed the Public Advocate’s office, Louis was mentioned as the likely frontrunner. Now, with the race to replace Williams kicking off in earnest, that speculation seems to be accurate. Prior to LID’s endorsement, the Jim Owles club backed Louis, as did a number of electeds, including Assemblymembers Rodneyse Bichotte and Helene Weinstein, and Councilmembers Justin Brannan and Helen Rosenthal. Just last week, long-time ally of Frank Seddio and the Thomas Jefferson Club, Lew Fidler, announced his support for Louis. With LID’s backing, Louis is showing clear signs of pulling from the other candidates in terms of endorsements.
Williams, though, has yet to endorse anybody in the race to succeed him in the city council as there are several qualified candidates, a number of whom also worked with his office when Williams was in the city council.
The night included endorsements for the judicial seats also on the ballot in June. LID made several endorsements: the club backed the current Surrogate’s Court Judge, Margarita Lopez-Torres, for her seat; D. Bernadette Neckles for the countywide Civil Court seat; and Caroline Cohen for the 6th District Civil Court seat.
