Come September 2013, state senator Eric Adams (20SD/Brooklyn) will be a candidate in the primary election, seeking the democrat’s nomination for Brooklyn’s Borough Presidency. A win in the primary will give him at least a ninety-nine per cent chance of winning the general election; since in Brooklyn, democrats have a minimum five to one edge in registration, over all other political parties combined. Adam’s will be attempting to make history, by being the first black person (male or female) elected to that office.

Back in 2001, Jeanette Gadson -a former state assembly member- attempted the same feat. She failed. Ms. Gadson was also a former deputy boro-prez, serving under Howard Golden. She is now deceased. Marty Markowitz won the democrat’s primary that year, and went on to win the general election in a convincing manner.
I have had many credible sources tell me for quite some time now that Adams was going to seek the boro-prez position after Marty Markowitz is term-limited in 2013. In a phone conversation with Adams yesterday, he stated that right now he is first seeking re-election to his senate seat this year; then once he is successful, he will announce a run for the Brooklyn borough presidency sometime before Christmas 2012. He believes his chances of success are very high. I concur.
Most likely, I will eventually endorse Eric Adams for this position; since ostensibly, the only other candidates I was interested in supporting for this job are not going to run (Lori Knipel and Yvonne Graham). Right now there is only one other declared candidate. I can truly say that in my estimation, Eric Adams is the best person for this position right now. This is a man who has made many personal sacrifices for public service and community development. This is a man who on principle stood up with the forces that tried to defend term-limits in 2008; a man who as a police officer openly and publicly spoke out against police-misconduct. He is an exceptionally courageous individual; a man who has survived physical and professional threats.

Eric Adams is a person who has stood up for progressive values and marched for human rights. He is a political-activist par excellence. He is a civil-rights champion. He is inclusive. He works with people of all races and from all walks of life. As much as he is now an elected insider (state senator), he knows the streets better. He is as much at ease in the”hoods“as he is in the corridors of power; not too many elected officials can make this claim: as we elect more elites and bourgeois-types to office every year.  read more »

Well, some people aren't going to like this column, but what's new? I think I have found a good female candidate for the next election for the office of Brooklyn borough president. If she runs and wins, then history will be made, since she will be the first female borough president of Brooklyn.

In 2006 we finally got a female NYC council speaker in Christine Quinn; and I know that for the forces of empowerment, inclusion and diversity, she fits two bills: she is also a lesbian. Fine.

I know we have 33 men and 18 women presently in the city council, and I suspect this represents the highest number of women elected in the council's history (358 years next February).

Presently, of the five borough presidents, only one is female: Helen Marshall/Queens. We have no female District Attorney in any of the five boroughs. The mayor, public advocate and comptroller are all male. We have never had a female mayor ever. My research also shows me that Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island have never elected a female to fill the boro-prez spot. I am sure Gatemouth can enlighten us as to the veracity of this research.  read more »

Spent most of 7th Heaven wandering around with Jacob and meeting politicians. Ran into Josh Skaller, Bob Zuckerman, John Heyer (all friendly and friendly with eachother despite being opponents for the same City Council seat...hear that Brad Lander? People can be in opposition without being snippy), Ken Diamondstone, Jo Anne Simon (both running for City Council) and Norman Siegel (running for Public Advocate). I heard John Liu (Comptroller) came by and was met with considerable enthusiasm. I saw David Yassky (local weasel), but I honestly avoided him. Probably to his relief.

I did not see a lot of people I expected to see. Where was Bill de Blasio? All his campaign did was post signs on lamp posts--illegally, I might add. When John Liu was in the neighborhood last weekend he put up signs but took them down when he left. Bill de Blasio simply left his signs up, contrary to the law and, in my book, showing disrespect for the neighborhood. And where was Steve Levin? I guess he has given up on Park Slope? Given how much Park Slope dislikes Levin's boss, Vito Lopez, perhaps that is wise.

But I met one person I didn't know about. Eugene Myrick is running for Brooklyn Borough President against Angry Clown and homophobe supporter Marty Markowitz (see also here for the Angry Clown story). Here is Eugene Myrick's video:

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