The Race to Replace...Yvette
Yvette Clarke's City Council seat will be vacant as soon as she is sworn in January 1st as the new Congress Critter from NY-11. The race to replace her will be a very hotly contested one with probably a huge number of candidates getting in on the game. At last night's Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats meeting last night (where more factional fighting provided the same kind of entertainmen as a bombing stand up comic) two candidates for the 40th City Council spoke. Both came off well. These are my impressions of them.
Jesse Hamilton:
Jesse Hamilton is fresh from a great win against the corrupt Brooklyn machine when his grassroots campaign beat the machine by about 2:1. For those of us who want to see the end to Clarence Norman/Vito Lopez corruption in Brooklyn, Hamilton's win was sweet. When running for district leader he says he was endorsed by both David Yassky and Chris Owens, though I should note there was also controversy over his first endorsing, then un-endorsing Yassky then campaigning for Chris.
Hamilton came off endearing but a bit unpolished, but this fits his description of his self as being a "community activist, not a politician." He now adds district leader to his resume of serving on Community Board 8 and being elected to the school board in the Crown Heights area where he served as president. During his stint on school board he claims that district's preformance improved by 12%. He attributes this to a better connection between the school board and ALL segments of the district, reaching out to every school and setting up awards for students to encourage better performance. By better engaging parents the school board better served the students.
Hamilton focused on the need for housing for Brooklyn's seniors, need for better healthcare rather than closing of hospitals, balancing a healthy community with development, education (of course) and job creation.
When asked about "Atlantic Yards" he gave a somewhat vague answer, but I should note that questions about "Atlantic Yards" encompass development of the area in general and really the questions should be regarding Ratner's corrupt and overblown plan. Hamilton's answers regarding Atlantic Yards emphasized the need for affordable housing and jobs, but indicated that the scale of the project was ludicrous and that the way it has been forced down the throats of the community was despicable. He particularly emphasized that circumventing the existing community boards in favor of other neighborhood groups who were receiving money from Ratner was distasteful. I would call it corrupt, but Hamilton avoided that word.
Both my wife and I liked Hamilton both as a person and what he said. I particularly like his coming from an anti-machine, community-oriented position.
Zenobia McNally
Now, as an ancient history buff, I am favorably biased towards any woman named "Zenobia." Zenobia was a third-century CE queen of Palmyra in the Syrian desert who successfully rebelled against and held off the Roman empire for years. A colorful "warrior queen," she is one of histories most interesting personalities.
But, of course, Zenobia McNally is not Zenobia of Palmyra, though she did seem a dedicated and nice person.
Zenobia McNally, rather than being queen of Palmyra, is a small business owner and works on the Neighborhood Housing Association, an agency that helps people buy their first house.
Zenobia emphasized affordable housing, jobs, and education in particular and overall came off competent and very knowlegable. My wife was as impressed with her as she was with Jesse Hamilton and overall I was left with a feeling that they both, judged by national standards, were good people and would be good in the city council. I will say, however, that I felt slightly more uneasy about Zenobia because of a couple of red flags.
Zenobia focused on affordable housing and jobs in a way that sounded too much like a code for being pro-Ratner. Now both affordable housing and jobs are necessary, but too often these are linked with unsound development these days and that was a red flag for me. However, no one, no matter how anti-Rater they are, is against affordable housing and job creation and all four of the plans for the Atlantic Yards development include affordable housing and job creation.
Zenobia did seem too wary of directly criticizing Ratner's plan. She did say that as it was first proposed it was too big. She then indicated that it has already been scaled down, then added, somewhat mumbling, that it could be scaled back more. She did not emphasize the distasteful (corrupt?) way the Ratner plan has been pushed foward the way Jesse Hamilton did. All of that added to the red flag about her regarding Atlantic Yards.
The final red flag was who she mentioned favorably. While Hamilton made reference to Chris Owens in particular, and David Yassky in passing, Zenobia made positive references to Marty Markowitz and Carl Andrews. Now in each case it was regarding positive actions they each took, but it is still worrisome if they are the people she makes reference to. She also made no reference to the corruption in Brooklyn, a key point Hamilton made.
So, I liked both Zenobia McNally and Jesse Hamilton. Zenobia came off more polished, but Jesse came off more direct and trustworthy to me. My wife liked both about equally, and the red flags I saw regarding Zenobia were fairly vague.
I hope to meet more of these candidates in the future and pass along my impressions.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
Candidate | City Council | Elections | Elections | Politics | Brooklyn | Democratic Party | Progressive Movement | Yvette Clarke
"Pulling a Yassky"
Submitted by mole333 on 18 November 2006 - 11:04am.
To me, what was distasteful about what Yassky did was the fact that he moved in to CD-11 specifically because he saw a split black vote. He had sounded out other districts first. His decision had nothing to do with helping the community so much as what was strategically best for him.
Jesse is not being so cynical from what I can tell. He is not relying on a particular ethnic group splitting the vote so he can win. If this is the only reason to oppose him, it isn't enough. He still seems like a good candidate, though I want to emphasize that I am keeping an open mind.
Carpetbagging
Submitted by rwallnerny on 18 November 2006 - 2:12pm.
Mole, if Yassky was a black man who moved into a white district because he saw a split white vote, and thought he could get the minority black vote, would you have objected just as strongly? He made a political calculation just the same as Yvette Clarke made a political calculation that she could split the rest of the vote in the district and win with the caribbean vote. Its called playing the game. Also, in a district that is 28% white, are you saying that no white candidate should ever be allowed to run there because they'd risk winning the vote on racial lines? That sounds patently unfair to me.
I think the carpetbagging is way overrated. Yassky lived only a couple of blocks away from the 11th CD. Jesse Hamiltion wouldn't be moving that far. Its no big deal. What IS a big deal is that Hamiltion called Yassky on it and is now doing the same thing. It is hypocritical, and that kind of hypocrisy (or dishonesty if he didn't really mean his carpetbagger criticism of Yassky) is not what we need in our politicians. You should not be so willing to overlook this. We should demand integrity of our elected leaders.
In fact, why not Chris Owens?
Submitted by rwallnerny on 18 November 2006 - 5:48pm.
In fact, why not Chris Owens here? Chris would have to move a few blocks too, as I think he lives in Tish James' district. I know he's been talking about running for Borough President in 2009 or Public Advocate, but he may be setting his sights too high. When one finishes in last place in one race, it usually isn't seen as a mandate to immediately go run for higher (in this case borough-wide or city-wide) office. If he ran and won this council seat first, Chris would have an elected base and be in a better position to make a run in one of these other races.
I think you don't understand the district
Submitted by mole333 on 18 November 2006 - 6:09pm.
Chris would be seen as a carpetbagger in the district by some I think. He'd have a shot at it but I think he would make more enemies than he would friends and I think he knows it. That is why he isn't doing it. I suspect he has already thought it through.
As to your previous question, once again I think you are ignoring political and social realities in America when considering these things. But then again you never did seem to understand. You may think you have a fair view of the issue, but the truth is you, like so many, are expecting color blindness only in an election. I noticed that in all the discussion I had regarding race in the district you never addressed my points on the gross inequities that give blacks the short end of the deal from craddle to grave. You only defended the rights of whites to run in an election, something I never questioned. Your seeming failure to recognize the various facets of this issue and to oversimplify it to who has a right to run makes it hard to discuss it with you.
And, once again, I will remind you (and others) that my switch from support for to opposition to Yassky had little or nothing to do with race or moving into the district.
In fact, why not Chris Owens?
Submitted by rwallnerny on 18 November 2006 - 5:48pm.
In fact, why not Chris Owens here? Chris would have to move a few blocks too, as I think he lives in Tish James' district. I know he's been talking about running for Borough President in 2009 or Public Advocate, but he may be setting his sights too high. When one finishes in last place in one race, it usually isn't seen as a mandate to immediately go run for higher (in this case borough-wide or city-wide) office. If he ran and won this council seat first, Chris would have an elected base and be in a better position to make a run in one of these other races.
Zenobia McNally
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 18 November 2006 - 7:44pm.
I like Zenobia McNally for City Council. Jesse is ok but he not a guy I want representing me in the Council. you can trust me on that!!!!
With all due respect...
Submitted by mole333 on 18 November 2006 - 8:38pm.
I do NOT trust you blindly on that anymore than I would trust ANY random Anonymous person who makes a statement of preference on the internet with no explanation. For now I find Jesse more to my liking than Zenobia, but there will be other candidates and I am waiting before I choose any of them as a preferred candidate.
I should note that I will be voting for none of them...since I live in Yassky's district. But I might petition for one of them.
I hear good things about Zenobia
Submitted by Bouldin on 19 November 2006 - 1:09am.
...but without sufficient detail at this point to comment further. She's attracted some of the best talent from the Owens campaign, that much I know.
Good to know
Submitted by mole333 on 19 November 2006 - 10:58am.
Both Zenobia and Jesse seem to be trying to get the CBID/Owens crowd. Which of course biases me in both of their favors. Again, Zenobia seemed just a little too reluctant to say anything bad about Ratner's plan as it stands right now while Jesse came right out and said he doesn't like the current form (though still was supportive of development at the site). And Jesse has a more extensive record of existing community service.
I am always concerned about
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 19 November 2006 - 12:38pm.
I am always concerned about someone who runs for three political seats in a matter of one year. What is the real motivation? Assemblyman, District Leader, now City council.
Jesse Hamilton
Submitted by rwallnerny on 19 November 2006 - 6:30pm.
It does seem a bit disingenuous for Jesse Hamilton to have run for district leader, and now weeks after having won, he doesn't want that job anymore. If he gets elected to the council, it would necessitate yet another election to replace him as district leader right after he just got that job. It is addition by subtraction. He already got his new job, lets save the money on all these special elections and elect somebody who hasn't just got elected to another position.
After the turkey eating is
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 19 November 2006 - 11:42pm.
After the turkey eating is over let the new election season begin.!!!!
Hell...
Submitted by mole333 on 22 November 2006 - 12:23am.
We aren't done with the last election season...and, as this diary illustrates, we are already getting the next races.
But I am now defrosting my turkey and planning both the stuffing (based on my grandmother's recipie...if I can find Challah in Park Slope now that Regina is gone) and the glaze for the turkey (fig-based, I think?). So I am eager for the feast.
Well, it sound different
Submitted by sidnora on 22 November 2006 - 1:15am.
to say the least. But who am I to say, my mother stuffed her turkey with matzo.
Try the Key Food on 7th Avenue, which seems to have a few more traditional Jewish products than the other stores. If you can't find challah in the Slope, it's a 15-minute subway ride (the D or the M) to Borough Park, where challah abounds. There's a kosher bakery on Fort Hamilton Parkway at about 46th-47th Street, a block from the Fort Hamilton Parkway stop.
And if you can't manage that, brioche is a pretty good substitute, and we have no shortage of French bakeries.
Jesse Hamilton
Submitted by byrdspeaks (not verified) on 21 November 2006 - 9:12pm.
It is not disingenuous to run for an open seat (whether Council or Assembly or State Senate or Congress) as open seats are fairly rare. Having run and won for the leadership in the 43rdAD, Jesse is very well positioned to make a run at the vacant council seat. The state committeman (women)/district leader post is quite often a stepping stone to a public elected official position. I’m sure that Zenobia, as she sits down to negoiate endorsements with elected officials, community leaders and opinion leaders in/around the 40th Councilmatic district will wish she could say that she was a district leader – with an identifiable base and people she can call on to work on the ground (collecting signatures in the winter is a prized skill) and at the polls on the day of the special election – with all its advanages. If Jesse is serious about becoming an elected official (and it appears that he is) he needs to take advantage of this opportunity, make the necessary sacrifices and run. And folks really should not hold his newly minted district leader status against him. As anyone who has been deeply involved in or studied electorial politics can tell you being a principled opportunist (at the least) is a fundamental job requirement.
As for the necessity of a special election to replace, Jesse as leader should he win, fear not for his replacement would be selected by the county committee, not through another district-wide election. And if Jesse was smart enough and fortunate enough to have the majority of the county committee, then he would have, at least, some influence over the selection of his successor.
Thanks
Submitted by mole333 on 22 November 2006 - 12:27am.
Although I was happy to hear pro-Zenobia comments, I was wondering about the anti-Jesse comments. In Brooklyn politics, I often find that the candidate who gets the most anonymous, vague opposition comments is usually pretty good. Good to hear someone has some realistic comments about Jesse.
Again, I emphasize that I have not decided who I support yet...and my support would be help petitioning, not my vote since I am in Yassky's district. But I liked BOTH Zenobia and Jesse, with Jesse seeming slightly more trustworthy. Most of the anti-Jesse comments were making me like Jesse more since they seemed so un-thought out.
Well if it keeps up this way
Submitted by bLogger (not verified) on 22 November 2006 - 1:37pm.
Well if it keeps up this way the other 49 candidates (joking on the number) will have to stand back and watch these two. That includes the person Yvette picks. which may not mean as much as people think.
Face it, this is a backroom decision
Submitted by rwallnerny on 22 November 2006 - 5:30pm.
Face it, this is going to be a backroom decision. Una and Yvette Clarke are going to sit down with Clarence Thomas's representatives (aka the Machine), and they are going to decide who gets to replace Yvette. Because the turnout will be so low for a special election in one council district, the race is likely to be decided by whoever gets Una and Yvette's endorsement, i.e. whoever the Machine backs. Any thoughts of this race being competitive or wide open, or of an outsider winning, is probably an illusion. In Brooklyn politics, sad as it is, the folks in the backroom make these choices.
If Hamilton's replacement would be appointed
Submitted by rwallnerny on 22 November 2006 - 8:08pm.
If byrdspeaks is right, and Jesse Hamilton's replacement as district leader would be appointed and not elected, I would think that would make Mole and others strongly favor Zenobia over him. The reason being that after working long and hard to get an independent democrat elected district leader there, and finally not having the Machine controlling that office, now you are going to elect Hamilton to city council and *again* let the Machine pick who the new district leader is?
Wouldn't this seem like after finally taking a big step forward, taking two steps backward? Shouldn't Jesse stay on as district leader for a term to guarantee the VOTERS decide who his replacement is and not the Machine? I think if all things are equal between Jesse and Zenobia, that this is a strong incentive to support Zenobia.
Wow
Submitted by bLogger (not verified) on 22 November 2006 - 10:04pm.
Good point RW..... I agree Jesse should stay as district leader for tow years. He would be officially the district leader 45 days as of Jan. 1 ,2007 then go to City Council. that is crazy. Remember people Musa Moore is still the district leader until Dec. 31, 2006.
If it came down to these two. Zenobia McNally for City Council. However they may be 78 other candidates(OK I keep going up) LOL
Hamilton and the independent District Leadership
Submitted by BYRDSpeaks (not verified) on 24 November 2006 - 2:35pm.
Point of information: A district leader's term ends with certification of the primary election results by the Board of Elections. Unless the margin of victory/defeat is quite narrow and the result is in some doubt the new leader becomes a de facto district leader on primary night, as installed by the voters. Further certification as a member of the state committee comes within a couple of weeks later. The short point is that Hamilton is now the district leader not Musa Moore.
Given that a leader does not have an effect on votes or government services an assembly district can go several weeks without a district leader/committee - the time it would take for county to install a new dl - should Hamilton win the council seat.
As to the race for the 40th, I'm sure the Clarkes will have someone for the seat but that does not guarantee their person's victory. This will be an interesting race.
The race is going to be
Submitted by Anonymous Coward (not verified) on 22 November 2006 - 10:40pm.
The race is going to be competitive in spite of who the Clarke's endorse. Mcnally's people will give her their vote. The Clarke's are going to be in for a big surprise.
Why did Jesse run for district leader in the first place?
Submitted by rwallnerny on 24 November 2006 - 3:47pm.
Jesse Hamilton knew, as we all did for more than a year that Yvette Clarke was a favorite to succeed Chris Owens in Congress. He knew full well her council seat might come open. My feeling is that if Hamilton knew he wanted to run for city council at this first opportunity, that he should not have run for district leader. It is unethical for one to ask the voters to elect them to a position, and then before even taking office, turn around and run for something else. He told the voters he wanted the district leader position when all along he really wanted the city council position. Was he running for district leader as a fall back in case either Yvette lost and kept her council seat, or in case he ran for her vacated seat and lost?
The voters elected Jesse Hamilton to be their district leader. Ambition is well and good, but announcing one's candidacy for a different office before you have even taken the office to which you've been elected is taking it too far. What Jesse Hamilton is doing is essentially trying to take the decision over who the new district leader will be for the next period of years AWAY from the voters. Because the Machine will choose his replacement, and in the next election that replacement will have (incumbent) next to his/her name. Meaning that person may have the office for years.
I do not think that we fight the Brooklyn Machine effectively by giving them the chance to appoint more incumbents. It is just not right for Jesse Hamilton to be running for another office at this particular time, and creating a potential vacancy in the district leader's office when the voters elected him with the confidence that he'd actually do the job.
Jesse Hamilton lives
Jesse Hamilton lives outdside the 40th City Council District. He unendorsed Yassky for this reason and others. So now he is pulling a Yassky.