To paraphrase Yogi Berra, It ain’t over til it’s over unless it never began.
Democratic District Leader Josue “Josh” Pierre this afternoon abruptly suspended his campaign for state senate in the 21st District and is announcing his bid for City Council in the 40th District.
The announcement came as Pierre was expected to have a competitive race against 21st District incumbent Sen. Kevin Parker (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope), but sources say Pierre had some fundraising issues.
Additionally, powerbroker Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) who is both Pierre’s cousin and his female district leader counterpart, was rumored to not being happy with Pierre running for a seat that she herself coveted.
Neither Pierre nor Bichotte returned calls to KCP.
“After several weeks of deliberation, I have decided to run for City Council in 2021 and end my campaign for State Senate. Since the summer, I have talked with countless community members in Flatbush about the need for progressive leadership with initiative and an understanding of the most pressing issues we face locally. However, it has also become clear that there is continued concern about the future leadership of the 40th City Council District,” said Pierre in an emailed statement.
“This district has bound Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Kensington, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens for decades. By running for City Council, I will be able to continue my yearslong collaboration with community leaders, activists, and non-profit groups who are fighting for affordable housing, education equity, small businesses and a better overall quality of life,” said Pierre.
“Time and again, people I’ve met in Flatbush while campaigning for the State Senate seat, expressed the need to fill the void of effective representation that will push the City’s government to create significant, real affordable housing opportunities for our seniors, resources for homeless working families, fund safe recreational spaces for our children, advocate for affordable health care for all, improve our subways, and push for a robust presence of mental health professionals in our public schools rather than over-policing our kids,” noted Pierre. “The City Council can lead on all of these issues and more if we elect the right leadership. During my years working for the New York City Comptroller’s Office, we worked to hold the City accountable and ensure critical services including equity for women’s pay and economic opportunities in government contracting. As a Council Member, I will work to empower our communities and create the opportunities we need to ensure progress for all our neighbors.”
Term-limited City Council Member Mathieu Eugene, who is eying the Borough President’s office in 2021, currently represents the 40th City Council District. Besides, Pierre, one of Eugene’s brothers is reportedly eyeying the seat, and several other candidates are expected to jump into the city council race.
