Hill Krishnan

As Councilwoman Jessica Lappin eyes a run for Manhattan Borough President, another candidate is publicly eyeing her seat in the City Council.

"If Jessica Lappin announces ... I will be running for the seat," Hill Krishnan, an adjunct professor at New York University, told The Politicker this afternoon.

Mr. Krishnan leaned on his background as an Indian immigrant to articulate his his motivations for running.

"I came to this country just ten years back," he buoyantly explained. "This country has given me everything. I've lived the American dream and this is my opportunity to give back."

He joins lawyer and consultant Benjamin Kallos in openly campaigning for the seat. If Ms. Lappin does indeed announce a run for higher office, her vacant seat would be sure to draw even more challengers. Other big-name candidates mentioned for the seat include Assembly Members Dan Quart and Micah Kellner, although neither has publicly demonstrated any interest in running.

Mr. Krishnan, who said his main focus in the City Council will be education policy, indicated his campaign will be ready to compete on the financial front with the other candidates as well.

"At least now, there is no Indian-American representation on the City Council, and there is a huge number of Indian-Americans who will help me," he said.

The election won't be until 2013, in the meantime students can take his global affairs courses at NYU.