In past years I have highlighted the endorsements of three "reform" clubs in Brooklyn. Those clubs are: Independent Neighborhood Democrats (IND), Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID), and Lambda Independent Democrats (IND). This year I have extensively outlined why IND is not very reform anymore (actually largely full of shit, to be blunt), but I will include them in this post just for old times sake...sort of. But I will add the endorsements of Democracy for America (DFNYC), a citywide group that is solidly reform and progressive, to balance it out.

I have found that people pay attention to endorsements and appreciate it when I highlight endorsements. And in Brooklyn, where a corrupt machine dominates politics, people do appreciate the reform club endorsements. So here we go.

NYC Comptroller Race:

CBID: John Liu
DFNYC: no endorsement yet
LID: John Liu
IND: David Yassky

Comments: David Yassky and David Weprin have donated to Brooklyn Party Boss Vito Lopez. That alone doesn't mean siding with the corrupt machine, but is not a good sign. Yassky has also been associated with the Brooklyn scandal surrounding the DiBrienza "non-profit" that proved to be nothing but a way for DiBrienza's family to make some money. Yassky gave $15,000 of city money to this fake non-profit seemingly in exchange for DiBrienza's endorsement in 2006. I should also note that Yassky got the IND endorsement even though he seems not to know the difference between IND and CBID...or his campaign is so disorganized that they can't tell the difference. His ad in the IND journal this year thanked CBID. I think they just sent IND the same ad they sent CBID without even bothering to change the name of the club. Pretty sloppy, if you ask me.

As an aside I felt drawn to John Liu quite early and wasn't sure why. One hint was when I read that Liu has a degree in mathematical physics. I like nerds, and honestly, nerds are what we need for jobs like Comproller. A degree in mathematical physics indicates Liu is by far the smartest of the candidates for Comptroller. Liu and Weprin are the only candidates with any actual financial experience, a must for Comptroller, I would think. So these two qualifications add to my feeling that Liu is the person for the job.

Melinda Katz has made few inroads into Brooklyn from what I can tell. No one in these clubs expressed any support for her that I have heard. My wife's comment was "Melinda Katz is SO full of shit." Of course her comments on Yassky make that look tame!

NYC Public Advocate Race:

CBID: Norman Siegel
DFNYC: Norman Siegel
LID: no endorsement yet?
IND: Bill de Blasio

Comments: I can't find an indication of an endorsement in this race from Lambda Independent Democrats, which surprises me. Not being a member of Lambda I don't know why. The IND endorsement was odd since I don't remember a single IND member express to me their support for Bill de Blasio. Most discussions I have had and overheard centered on Mark Green and Norman Siegel. So the de Blasio endorsement seemed out of the blue...and perhaps arranged?

Mark Green and Norman Siegel are the only two who have extensive qualifications for Public Advocate. The others are merely aiming for other offices and have no real experience or interest in the job. Let's get real. Even Green probably would prefer using it as a stepping stone and so is only peripherally interested in the office, leaving Siegel as the best choice. But no one would argue that Siegel and Green are qualified. The rest are just politicians who want to make a name for themselves citywide so they can run for other offices.

City Council, 33rd District:

CBID: JoAnne Simon
DFNYC: no endorsement yet
LID: JoAnne Simon
IND: JoAnne Simon

Comments: I have often said that when CBID, IND and LID all endorse a candidate, that candidate has a very good shot at winning. This is the only contested election this year where all three agree...which suggests Jo Anne Simon has a very good shot at winning. Of course since the Vito Lopez machine opposes her, putting up Vito Lopez's own staff member Steve Levin, the race is not a given. But I have seen a strong correlation in the past between a unanimous endorsement from CBID, IND and LID and success. We will see if it holds up this year.

I should also note that although I like a couple of the other candidates as well, Jo Anne Simon is the only one who has really represented the district (as district leader) and who has a national reputation (for her work for disabled rights). In many other ways most of the the candidates are similar. But Jo Anne has the most experience and the best reputation.

City Council, 39th District:

CBID: Josh Skaller
DFNYC: Josh Skaller
LID: Bob Zuckerman
IND: John Heyer

Here the three "reform" clubs in Brooklyn are split among Skaller, Zuckerman and Heyer. Skaller and Zuckerman make sense since they are both very progressive. Heyer is an odd endorsement for IND as has been discussed extensively on Daily Gotham and Room 8, among other places. What really struck people, and several people commented to me about this at IND and CBID, was that NO ONE was arguing for Brad Lander at these clubs. CBID and IND are not very much in agreement this year, yet at both no one seemed interested in Brad Lander. And those who commented to me on this were serious indsiders who know the score in Brooklyn, and they found it quite significant that no one at all spoke up for Brad. Significant? Maybe, since these three clubs really do carry weight in the neighborhood. But maybe not given that the three are split.

Rumor has it that Vito Lopez is, largely by default, supporting Brad Lander. I am hearing this from many who are insiders. But no one has offered me any evidence so far. In the past when I heard such widespread rumors from insiders about stealth support by Vito Lopez for a candidate, the level of support, though real, was limited. It may be the same in this case as well.

So, for what it's worth, those are the current key endorsements made for contested races in Brooklyn by the "reform" clubs and the citywide organization DFNYC. Past experience shows me this kind of information is appreciated and meaningful for voters.