Every year in NYC you have a massive pissing contest that most people are unaware of. People running for office want to claim the MOST number of signatures during petitioning, even though all you need is a minimum number to qualify. Truth is, people want about 3-5X the minimum to ward of legal challenges, but people want to claim THE MOST. The reasoning is that getting the most signatures indicates the best ground game, and thus the winning formula. Truth is, I have seen many campaigns get the most signatures and then fall flat later, losing badly. The trick is keeping the ground game going. So fundraising may be more important than getting the most signatures. Right now people are also claiming whether they qualify for public matching funds as well to show their funds will be adequate to compete.

We are at that point where these pissing contests are being played out. So far I have heard from three campaigns (two of which I have endorsed, one I am sypathetic with even though I have endorsed someone else).

Josh Skaller, running for City Council in the 39th district in Brooklyn, claims more than 10,000 signatures (he needed a minimum of about 1000 with about 3-5000 to play it safe) and more than $161,000 fundraising (more than enough to qualify for public matching funds). If he can keep this pace up, he really may be the candidate to beat in this race. Here is his statement:

On the very first day of petitioning, Democratic Party reformer Howard Dean came to Brooklyn to endorse me and to kick-off our effort [EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a REAL endorsement, not just a consolation prize like another candidate in this race has been kind of pathetically bragging about].

And as of today, my grassroots campaign has collected more than 10,000 petition signatures with the help of more than 150 subscribing witnesses. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Never noticed the number of witnesses pissing contest before, but since these are active volunteers and/or paid people, it could be a measure worth paying attention to]

You will also be happy to know that we have now raised over $161,000 - the most money a candidate can spend in a City Council race - from more than 600 different donors.

Yes, the momentum has been building. Our funds were donated by more individuals than any other campaign based in Brooklyn. We have 200 volunteers for our field work and the number grows each week.

Why is this happening? Because this grassroots campaign has given voice to those who are working for real reform, for meaningful change, and for leaders with conviction.

I fought Atlantic Yards before it was politically popular. I campaigned for a full EPA cleanup of the Gowanus Canal while other leaders waffled. I stood up to developers - and this Mayor -- who try to buy democracy in this city by bankrolling political campaigns...

I want to thank community leaders such as NY State Assemblyman Jim Brennan, NY State Senator Eric Adams, retired Congressman Major Owens, former Community School Board President Judy Hoffman, the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, SEIU Local 177, Joint Council 16 - IBT, Teamsters Local 237, the NY Metro Area Postal Union, and many others who are supporting my campaign.

I have not yet heard from Josh's opponents. Josh has clearly made an amazing showing, but it remains to be seen who else matches, or at least comes close to matching, his efforts. Again, if he can keep up this momentum, he is the guy to beat in the 39th City Council race.

In a neighboring race, the 33rd City Council race, I have heard from Ken Diamondstone. He also claims to qualify for the ballot. Here is his statement:

"We collected more than 5,000 signatures without institutional support or backing from the big political clubs or party insiders," said Diamondstone, a Democrat from Boerum Hill...[EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a bit of sour grapes here, since Ken did not get any major endorsements, including from LID which he might have expected. But it is also a good point since all signatures gathered are through his campaign's own efforts, and not through other organizations.]

Diamondstone's signatures were witnessed by 37 New Yorkers...

"I am the only candidate in this race with a record of real reforms," Diamondstone said. "I'm not afraid to stand up to the powers that be. Borough President Markowitz tried to force me off the Community Board when I dared to question Atlantic Yards, and I fought back and won. If elected I will continue to fight for the people, not the powerful."

Again, I have yet to hear from Ken's opponants. It looks like Ken is in the running, but it remains to be seen how his opponents fare.

I have also heard from Norman Siegel, former head of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Civil Rights Attorney for 40 year and by far the most qualified and excellent candidate for Public Advocate. Norm Siegel told me this weekend (in between a Williamsburg event and a Bastille Day event) that he had qualified both for the ballot (with the obligatory 3-fold excess signatures needed to ward off legal challenges) and for matching funds. Characteristically, Norm Siegel's official statement is more modest than most and clearly prefers accounting for possible legal challenges, even though his accomplishments are no less successful for his modesty:

Great news -- By the end of July 11th, we reached our fundraising goal for this point in the campaign and it should qualify us to receive matchable funds. This will help us get out our message to transform the office of Public Advocate so it can do what it is supposed to do - protect the rights of all New Yorkers and hold government accountable to the people.

I wish to thank everyone who contributed and made this possible.

Thank you so much,

Norman

Josh, Ken and Norm, all of whom I respect and two of which I have endorsed, seem to be on the ballot and in the running. Not sure yet that any of them are winning their respective pissing contests, but at least they are in the running.