Sylvia Kinard, Ex-Wife of Bill Thompson, To Run for Congress

David Freedlander — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:44:13 -0400

Sylvia Kinard, an attorney and the second wife of former Democratic mayoral nominee Bill Thompson, told The Politicker this morning that she is running for Congress against incumbent Democrat Yvette Clarke.

"We have a petitioning process, we are getting ready for that," Ms. Kinard said. "I want to see a better Brooklyn for everyone. There is an old saying that 'A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats.' I am not sure that is true anymore."

Ms. Kinard married Mr. Thompson in 1999 and the couple had a nasty split in 2006 played out in the press just as the former comptroller was gearing up for his own mayoral run in 2009.

Ms. Kinard is an ordained minister, and this would be her first real foray into politics. She said that development and education would be the focus of her campaign.

Ms. Clarke has been a fairly quiet Congresswoman since first winning a contentious primary in 2006. Ms. Kinard didn't mention Ms. Clarke by name, telling The Politicker, "I am running for Congress in the 11th Congressional district. I am not sure that the seat belongs to anybody."

Politicker » Sylvia Kinard, Ex-Wife of Bill Thompson, To Run for Congress

Sylvia Kinard, Ex-Wife of Bill Thompson, To Run for Congress