These are the new folks who won last night who are going to give Party Boss Vito Lopez some headaches (relative sizes of photos mere coincidence...not indicative of anything but how the photos were from the original websites...Guess CBID has small photos).

Chris Owens, from the 52nd (where he is teamed up with incumbent reform district leader Jo Anne Simon)

Chris Owens with Velmanette Montgomery (from the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats Website)

Lincoln Restler, from the 50th:

Lincoln Restler with the lovely Councilwoman Diana Reyna (from the New Kings Democrats Website)

Kevin Carroll, from the 60th: (I stayed neutral in this race)

Kevin Carroll with Bill Thompson (from the Brooklyn Democrats for Change website)
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Over the years I have cataloged the decline and then recovery of corrupt Party Boss Vito Lopez. His big ticket judicial candidates (e.g. both Surrogate Judge positions) lost to candidates backed by the reform movement that seeks to be Vito's nemesis, though probably is usually more of a nuisance to Vito because it serves as its own nemesis. Vito's prominent judicial race losses seemed to signify a decline in his fortunes. That decline seemed halted last year when self-nemesising reformers basically handed Vito one of their city council seats right in the heart of reform territory. Vito's boy Steve Levin seemed to lead a Vito comeback. Of course behind the smiles at Levin's win for the corrupt side was Vito's big loss when he tried to take out former ally turned independent-minded woman Diana Reyna. He lost that one and I bet it still rankles. His hatred for his former ally was so great he even endorsed the WFP candidate over the Democratic candidate (Reyna) even though he is SUPPOSED to be the Democratic Party leader. His hatred for Reyna was even so great he began to threaten other allies who didn't follow his lead against Reyna (like Lew Fidler) with challenges.  read more »

In the race to replace Alan Fleishman as the male district leader in the 52nd Assembly district in Brooklyn, Chris Owens just picked up an unexpected and impressive endorsement. From Chris Owens' campaign:

On Saturday, June 12, New York City Comptroller John C. Liu boldly stepped up to the plate for reform Democrats in Brooklyn and proclaimed his support of Chris Owens for Democratic State Committee in the 52nd Assembly District.

At a pre-Parade party during Brooklyn Pride weekend, while thanking members of the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn for their support, Liu declared "I am with Chris Owens."

Owens was surprised and very pleased with the unsolicited endorsement. "As a citywide elected official, John Liu did not have to get involved with a messy situation within the Democratic Party and go against the County Leader, but, understanding the need for change in New York, John Liu showed the courage that got him elected Comptroller and I appreciate that greatly," said Owens.  read more »

The race to replace Alan Fleishman as male district leader for the 52nd Assembly District is starting to shape up. Chris Owens can now be considered the front runner as a second major reform club has endorsed him. From Chris Owens' campaign:

On Thursday, June 3, community activist Chris Owens was endorsed for the position of Democratic State Committee member from Brooklyn’s 52nd Assembly District by Brooklyn's lesbian and gay political voice, the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn ("LID"). LID is considered one of New York City's most progressive political organizations.

Incumbent State Committeeman Alan Fleishman, an LID member, a vocal critic of Democratic County Leader Vito Lopez and himself the object of past political attacks, is retiring from the position. Himself a strong critic of the Kings County Democratic machine and its leader, Owens highlighted his past success at garnering votes from Democrats within the 52nd Assembly District as a Congressional candidate and Community School Board member from District 13. Owens then received 58% of the LID members' votes cast for the position.  read more »

Last night was the second of three endorsement meetings being held by the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats. I was working late, so I am relying on my wife's observations and the questionnaires the candidate had to fill out to be considered for a CBID endorsement (these are excellent resources and can be found at the CBID website for anyone who wants more info on the candidates) as well as my own previous experience with the some of the candidates. I urge everyone to check out these questionnaires.  read more »