The internships section of the Pedro Alvarez website was identical to the section on the Ben Kallos website.

Ben Kallos, a candidate for City Council on the Upper East Side, was apparently offering campaign internships in the south Bronx.

That was according to the campaign website of Pedro Alvarez, a Bronx City Council candidate, which bore a striking resemblance to the website of Mr. Kallos. Under an "internships" section that was removed after Politicker contacted the Alvarez campaign, the text was identical to the Kallos site, even going as far as to mention Mr. Kallos several times.

"Benjamin Kallos is currently a candidate to represent the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island in the New York City Council where he hopes to use his skills sets in law, politics, public policy and technology to make New York City a better place," read a section of the Alvarez campaign website until recently, for example.

After repeated requests for comment, the Alvarez campaign told Politicker that the web developer, Empress Networks, was to blame for the identical internships section, not the campaign itself.

"We're brand new people at this," said Marie, a member of Mr. Alvarez's campaign that refused to disclose her last name. "We paid to build a brand new page and we had no idea someone had done such a thing. It's really horrible, we're really bothered with this."

"It was not done with any malice, it wasn't anything like that," she added. “We're working in district that's so poor and has really little money."

But Empress Networks said it was up to the Alvarez campaign to actually edit the information within the website.

"They said they wanted that site built based on that other guy's website," said Ray Giles, the owner of Empress Printing. "Basically that's what was done, but they have to go in and change every aspect ... They can go in and change the information whenever they want, they have all the log-in information. They should have changed it."

Mr. Kallos, for his part, seemed unperturbed about another campaign copying his website. Rather than address the identical website sections when reached for comment, he touted the strength of his own campaign.

"The fact that our campaign's open platform focused on solutions and progressive internship program have become a model demonstrates that we are not only leading by example, but changing the dialog," Mr. Kallos stated.

Additional reporting by Colin Campbell.

Today's press conference.

As the four biggest Democratic mayoral campaigns push against one another for every voter in the five boroughs, their focus has often turned to the Bronx, home to constituencies that none of them can lay natural claim to.

And, earlier today, former Comptroller Bill Thompson was the latest to announce Bronx officials' endorsements in the form of Congressman José Serrano and his son, State Senator José Serrano. The duo labeled Mr. Thompson a "coalition builder" who can reach out to their heavily Hispanic communities.

"Billy Thompson is a coalition builder and he is a person who fully understands this city," Congressman Serrano declared. "We support him because he knows that we also have the kind of respect in our community, where starting this afternoon, many people will begin to understand that--maybe, perhaps and surely--this is the candidacy for our community."

Just in case anyone missed the importance of the Latino vote in this year's elections, Congressman Serrano said "it is very fashionably now in our country to be pro-immigration reform," while stating Mr. Thompson had always been with him on the immigration issue.

He further  introduced the former comptroller as "Guillermo William Billy Thompson."

Two of Mr.  Thompson's rivals have already announced Bronx endorsements. Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced the support of State Senator Gustavo Rivera a month ago and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio soon followed with State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.

The candidates on stage.

Cops resemble "slave catchers." Sal Albanese never smoked a joint. The Bloomberg Administration has locked the men of God out of City Hall.

These were all arguments presented at yesterday's peculiar mayoral forum, moderated by clergymen in the Bronx.

"How do you make the city safe with the thugs who are running around from the police department undercover who are from the outer boroughs and Long Island?" Randy Credico, a comedian and long-shot mayoral candidate, boomed. "They have thousands of undercover cops that are whacked out on steroids, going around like slave catchers, this is true, like slave catchers did back in the 1860's and 1850's in the wake of the fugitive slave law."

The Monroe College event drew a mix of leading Democrats and motley second-stringers, allowing discussions to veer from boilerplate campaign rhetoric to pot-smoking habits, exactly how much church should be separated from state and a slavery analogy that immediately shocked the auditorium. The bizarre star of the forum may have been Mr. Credico, a self-described "political comedian" who, along with Rev. Erick Salgado, ex-Democrat Adolfo Carrión and Mr. Albanese joined front-running candidates like Bill Thompson, Comptroller John Liu and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio on the stage. Not in attendance was the leader in all polls thus far, Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Ms. Quinn, speculated a member of Monroe College's staff, may not have wanted to attend because of the forum's nature: the City Action Coalition, a coalition of conservative religious groups, was hosting the event and posing atypical questions. In addition to the usual inquiries about the police department's controversial stop-and-frisk and the city's struggling educational system, candidates were also asked about their stance on sex education in public schools, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's attempt to prohibit religious groups from holding services in public schools and whether "religious pregnancy crisis centers" should be able to operate without signage stating that they do not perform abortions.

The leading Democrats did not pass up the opportunity to bash Mr. Bloomberg, but they appeared caught off guard by the other questions from the panel of clergyman. Several, including Mr. Liu, did not voice an opinion on the role of sex education in public schools. And they quickly--before jumping to pile on Mr. Bloomberg--said they believed in "full disclosure" for health clinics.

"Too often government has held the faith community at arm's length to the detriment of all," Mr. de Blasio said. "I would like to see real faith representation at City Hall, a regular meeting between the mayor and top aides and faith leaders--you need proof? Just look at what happened after Hurricane Sandy where the faith community got there so often well before the government got there."

Faced with a more socially conservative audience than they were accustomed to, the Democrats sought to downplay the role of government and extol the potency of religious organizations. For example, Mr. Thompson blasted the city's attempt last year to keep religious services out of public schools.

"I believe we should continue to allow houses of worship to rent space from the City of New York. It is not a question of separation of powers," Mr. Thompson said, proposing a "mayor's office of faith-based development" in his theoretical administration. "Why would we change that now based on the whims of one individual?"

The debate swerved again when Mr. Albanese, when explaining why he would legalize marijuana and tax it, paused to emphasize that he's "never smoked pot." Mr. Credico wasn't so discreet.

"I would cut back on the money for the prosecution of pot. I'm an ex-pot smoker and I'm a part-time pot smoker, but the mayor can't raise taxes on it; it is the governor that has to do that," Mr. Credico said. "Maybe you have been smoking pot, Sal."

Senator Rubén Díaz addresses the anti-gay marriage crowd in D.C. (Photo: Díaz's office)

As the fiery Rev. Rubén Díaz Sr., a New York State Senator, thundered against same-sex marriage in the nation's capital, his son, Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., was about to do the very opposite. The younger Díaz was joining a wave of politicians who have recently reversed their positions in favor of gay marriage, but his father said he was unswayed by the momentum against him.

“Marriage is sacred. Marriage is an institution established by God and it should stay that way,” he said. “The majority is not always right. 2,000 years ago the majority chose the rabbi and rejected Jesus. Now, the majority are rejecting the Bible and not choosing Jesus. I know my conviction and I know I will not change my view. I could be only one in the whole world and I would not change my view.”

Mr. Díaz Sr., a Pentecostal minister, was returning from an overnight vigil and march in Washington D.C. in support of the Defense of Marriage Act when his son blasted out a statement urging the Supreme Court to strike down DOMA, which denies federal benefits to gay couples. Never shy about espousing the glory of Christ, the elder Díaz, 69, suddenly found himself publicly at odds with his ambitious son, but he said he wasn't fazed.

“The beauty of America is that people can choose what they want,” he said. “My son respects my decision to follow the Bible. This will not divide the family. A lot of people would like to see the family divided. On the contrary, the family is stronger than ever.”

His son, reclining in his borough president’s office just a long fly ball from Yankee Stadium, concurred.

“We love each other, we’re family, we just differ on views and this is just one of many views I differ on with my father,” he contended. “But this is not about him.”

A Democratic assemblyman by the time he was 23, the younger Díaz rose in the political world before his father--a heroin junkie-turned-evangelical preacher--assumed his place in the State Senate. Mr. Díaz Jr. won the borough presidency with ease a decade later. Since then, he's mulled running for public advocate and has been gabbed about in political circles as someone who could one day be the city’s first Hispanic mayor. And, citing his openly gay niece and chief of staff, he said he simply had an epiphany on the marriage subject.

“The world didn’t end when marriage equality was passed in 2011,” he explained. “It just didn’t. It didn’t affect my personal quality of life. It didn’t affect Hilda’s, my wife, or my kids. My kids aren’t worse off because of marriage equality. So people are starting to be like, 'Wait a minute, you know, then what are we against? Are we against love?'”

His father, clearly, doesn’t accept that sort of reasoning. The lone Democrat in the State Senate to vote against a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New York two years ago, Mr. Díaz Sr. has further drawn attention to himself--beyond his fire-and-brimstone preaching--for regularly shooting off opinionated missives, confidently entitled “What You Should Know,” that sharply criticize gay marriage, abortion and stem-cell research--the latter, for example, he once equated to “Hitler using the ashes of the Jews to make bars of soap.”

But, despite the reverend's constant pronouncements to the contrary, same-sex marriage is now almost universally embraced by city elected officials and for Mr. Díaz Jr. to further climb up the political ladder he may need to ensure his 2007 vote against gay marriage doesn't become a future liability. That is why El Diario columnist Gerson Borrero, never a fan of the Díaz clan, believes the borough president's recent revelation is little more than a calculation.

“For him to say that somehow he has found a new calling, that he understands that people have a right to love whoever they fall in love with and have the same rights as any other human being and at the same time also say he found thoat out as a result of his chief of staff influencing him and then also his niece, is a weak and really dishonest crutch,” Mr. Borrero said, arguing that the younger Díaz needs to more forcefully denounce his father. “This is simply a political ploy."

For his part, Mr. Díaz Jr. said electoral ambitions had nothing to do with his announcement, which he insisted was simply the same change of heart countless others have professed.

“What I also didn’t want is for people to think I was doing it for some type of political reason, to be honest with you,” he explained. “There was much talk about perhaps me running citywide. ... There’s no major opponent against me; I’m not running citywide. I just thought that this was the time for me to do the right thing.”

Nelson Castro (Photo: assembly.state.ny.us)

As expected, Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro, who wore a wire to help indict his colleague, Eric Stevenson, announced his resignation today. Stepping down from office, in addition to cooperating with federal authorities, were steps he took in order to avoid prosecution himself.

"Today I announce that I am resigning my seat in the New York State Assembly, effective Monday, April 8, 2013," Mr. Castro said in the statement, which can be viewed in full below. "On July 31, 2009, I was indicted by a Bronx County Grand Jury for committing perjury in a 2008 civil matter, held prior to my election to the Assembly. I appreciate the seriousness of my misconduct. Thereafter, I agreed to cooperate with .... various investigations aimed at rooting out public corruption."

Additionally, Mr. Castro, who could be involved in future indictments as he's been cooperating for four years, ominously added, "I continue to cooperate with State and Federal authorities in this prosecution and in other investigations."

Politicker asked Mr. Castro's attorney, Michael Farkas, if he could elaborate on the 2008 perjury charge that placed his client in this mess to begin with. Mr. Farkas said he could not until the indictment against Mr. Castro is unsealed. However, it could be related to the perjury indictment outlined in a 2009 New York Daily News report where nine voters were found to be registered at Mr. Castro's one-bedroom flat.

"I can’t at this time, but I will be able to do so shortly, perhaps next week," Mr. Farkas replied.

A special election will be scheduled to replace Mr. Castro. Other elected officials charged with corruption this week, including Mr. Stevenson, State Senator Malcolm Smith and Councilman Dan Halloran continue to hold office and, at least in the case of the latter two, have publicly maintained their innocence.

View Mr. Castro's resignation announcement below:

Today I announce that I am resigning my seat in the New York State Assembly, effective Monday, April 8, 2013.

On July 31, 2009, I was indicted by a Bronx County Grand Jury for committing perjury in a 2008 civil matter, held prior to my election to the Assembly. I appreciate the seriousness of my misconduct.

Thereafter, I agreed to cooperate with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and, later, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, in conjunction with various investigations aimed at rooting out public corruption. As one result of this cooperation, among other things, this morning a complaint was unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York charging Assemblyman Eric Stevenson and four others with various federal crimes. I continue to cooperate with State and Federal authorities in this prosecution and in other investigations.

I am very proud of my accomplishments and the many benefits that I have secured on behalf of my district over the last four years. These include helping thousands of constituents to apply for U.S. citizenship on a no-fee basis, and providing educational programs focusing on the Citizenship & Naturalization Exam; obtaining funding for technology purchases and initiatives for the schools in my district; sponsoring events for senior centers and youth programs in my district and beyond; and securing additional low cost housing units in the area. Most of all, I take pride in how our diverse population has united to transcend racial and ethnic differences and work together.

My district is comprised of hard working and honest people, devoted to their families and to their community. I deeply regret my misconduct while campaigning before I was elected to office. It is my sincere hope that my constituents remember me most for the good I have done as their representative, rather than for the poor example I set as a candidate.

Because of the sensitive nature of ongoing prosecutions and investigations, I must direct all further inquiries to my attorney, Michael C. Farkas, Esq.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara explains the scheme.

Two days ago, when U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said New York State corruption cases were beginning to feel like the movie Groundhog Day, he was rather prescient. This afternoon, Mr. Bharara unsealed charges against Bronx Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, making him the third New York City lawmaker to be charged with corruption this week. Additionally, another Bronx Assemblyman, Nelson Castro, was the cooperating witness in the latest case and will resign today.

"So here we go again," Mr. Bharara began. "This has become something of a habit. For the second time in three days, we unsealed criminal charges against a sitting member of the State Legislature. And based on what is alleged in this complaint, it becomes more and more difficult to avoid the sad conclusion that political corruption in New York is indeed rampant and that the 'show me the money' culture in Albany is alive and well."

Among other things, Mr. Stevenson is accused of exchanging envelopes of cash for writing legislation to benefit the owners of a senior center in his district--the bill in question would place a moratorium on new centers to allegedly provide a local monopoly for the bribers. Mr. Bharara said this "breathtaking bit of corruption" was the ultimate political dishonor.

"Those allegations, if proven, represent an especially breathtaking bit of corruption even by Albany standards. Those allegations represent the corrupt sale of an elected representative's core duty: a legislator, selling legislation," he said. "As the recording show, Stevenson was brazen and blunt about putting his core function up for sale."

Mr. Bharara then pointed to Mr. Stevenson's alleged quotes obtained through wiretaps, including, “If half of the people up here in Albany was ever caught for what they do ... they .... would probably be in [jail] . . . so who are they bullshitting?”

(Photo: assembly.state.ny.us)

Moments ago, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's office announced yet another New York State elected official, Bronx Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, has been arrested and accused of taking bribes. Earlier this week, New York's political world was rocked when corruption charges were leveled against State Senator Malcolm Smith and Councilman Dan Halloran. Mr. Stevenson's charges will be formally unsealed at noon today.

"Stevenson is accused of taking bribes in exchange for official acts, which included drafting, proposing, and agreeing to enact legislation that would benefit the co-defendants' businesses," the release announcing the press conference declared. "Two of the other defendants are also charged in connection with their payment of a bribe to another Assemblyman, who was actually cooperating with the Government at the time. The charges include conspiracy to deprive New York State and its citizens of Eric Stevenson’s honest services, federal programs and Travel Act bribery conspiracy, federal programs bribery, and Travel Act bribery conspiracy."

But the State Legislature's woes don't stop with Mr. Stevenson. The other assemblyman, currently unnamed, cooperated with the investigation and will have to resign from office now that the allegations against Mr. Stevenson are revealed.

"ASSEMBLYMAN-1 has been cooperating in this investigation since prior to January 2012. In exchange for that cooperation," the complaint reads. "ASSEMBLYMAN 1 has agreed, among other things, to continue to cooperate with the USAO and the Bronx County District Attorney's Office and to resign his office with the New York State Assembly following the arrests of the defendants in this complaint."

Few identifying details are provided, but the unnamed assemblyman is said to represent an adult day care center on Jerome Avenue, which is mostly represented by female legislators. Assemblyman Nelson Castro represents a district that could match the complaint, so we reached out to his office. Mr. Castro's chief of staff said they would have an announcement "by the end of the day" but declined to elaborate.

Update (1:25 p.m.): The New York Daily News confirmed Mr. Castro is the unnamed assemblyman.

View the complaint below:

Bill de Blasio in the Bronx.

It snowed, hailed and rained on Bill de Blasio's parade. The public advocate spent Monday, his first official day as a mayoral candidate, on a journey that spanned over sixty miles and all five boroughs, a dramatic, physical manifestation of his plan to propel himself to Gracie Mansion by reaching out to disenfranchised residents in the far flung corners of the city and channeling populist backlash against the policies of Mayor Michael Bloomberg along the way.

Mr. de Blasio began his morning on the Upper East Side for a taping of Fox 5's Good Day New York. He then journeyed to greet commuters in Washington Heights, the first of five neighborhoods on his marathon route.

Politicker caught up with Mr. de Blasio at the second stop on his tour, a bus station on East Fordham Road in the Bronx where a handful of volunteers stood with the candidate in a relentless flash snowstorm as he shook hands with passers-by.

“This is Super Bowl weather,” proclaimed Wilfredo Pagan, one of the volunteers. "Where there's a Bill there's a way."

Few of the commuters we saw stopped in the inclement weather for more than a quick handshake with the candidate during his twenty-five minutes in the Bronx. Most of the people he greeted got a brisk, cheery salutation that became Mr. de Blasio's refrain throughout the day.

"How you doing? I'm Bill de Blasio. I'm running for mayor."

Though the wet, frigid conditions seemed to be quite literally dampening the response, Mr. de Blasio doesn't plan to let Mother Nature slow down his campaign.

"My background is as a grassroots organizer and you never let weather get in your way," he told us. "You know, the clock is running."

Before his next stop in Queens, Mr. de Blasio phoned in for an appearance on The Brian Lehrer Show where he continued to hammer home the messages he was trying to demonstrate with his citywide tour.

"I think it’s no secret this mayor has a pretty elitist worldview. He clearly doesn’t see what life is like the farther you go out in the boroughs," Mr. de Blasio said of Mr. Bloomberg, the man he hopes to succeed in City Hall. "The mayor’s field of vision doesn’t get that far out of Manhattan."

Conditions had not improved when Mr. de Blasio reached Jackson Heights, though the elevated train tracks above the the 74th Street-Broadway subway station shielded him from the small hailstones that were beginning to hit the streets. The candidate leapt back and forth trying to position his lanky six-foot-five-inch frame in the ideal position in front of the station's doors.

"We've got to find where people are flowing," he said anxiously.

After a few adjustments, Mr. de Blasio was clearly satisfied.

"Alright, we're getting our flow here, we're getting our flow," he said to himself, hopping back and forth on the balls of his feet like a boxer. "This is second nature."

Mr. de Blasio is confident his pavement pounding approach will leave voters convinced he is better suited to address the needs of the entire city than his rivals.

"If you’re going to change the status quo in this city, it’s going to take a forceful approach," he told us. "I won’t speak to the details of my opponents, but I think the approach that I take is the one that actually helps to achieve some real change. ... Some of my opponents believe in making that change, some don’t. Some are doing something about that, some aren’t. I think that what voters will see in this city that I back up my words with action."

Joanne Naumann, one of cadre of volunteers who showed up to help Mr. de Blasio campaign in Queens was certainly convinced he would be a better mayor than the other Democrat who currently has a wide lead in the primary polls, Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

"Christine Quinn, that's our rival, she's a Republican," Ms. Naumann said to a man who stood with her on the sidewalk watching Mr. de Blasio.

Later on, we informed Ms. Naumann that Ms. Quinn and Mr. de Blasio are both Democrats.

"I don't know exactly what she represents, but I'm with Bill," she said.

Bill de Blasio in Boro Park.

Less than an hour later, Mr. de Blasio was in Brooklyn at the senior center in the Boro Park Jewish Community Council where several of the elderly women he met also seemed confused about the candidates in the mayor's race.

"He’s good-looking. He looks like, like a man!" one proclaimed after meeting Mr. de Blasio, before adding, “Koch is finished, Mayor Koch is finished.”

“Koch is gone, we’ve got Bloomberg,” grumbled Gizela Jeramias, who was seated next to her.

When asked what she thought about the current crop of Democratic mayoral candidates, Ms. Jeramias was blunt.

“I don’t know anything about them,” she said.

Mr. de Blasio worked the tables, which seemed to be organized by nationality. He greeted a group of Italian women in their native tongue. Among a group of Hungarians, Mr. de Blasio sought common ground after meeting a centenarian Holocaust survivor.

"I read a very powerful book by George Soros's father ... the story of how people had to find their way to survive when the Nazis came in," said Mr. de Blasio. "Very powerful, very powerful."

"Soros doesn't like Israel," one member of the Hungarian contingent interjected. "That I don't like."

"Well, no, but I'm talking about the story his father wrote about how they survived the Holocaust," he responded. "A very powerful story in Budapest 1944 and '45. That story was extraordinary."

International tensions also reared their head when a woman who identified herself as Czech sidled up to us and whispered, "Hungary is the worst. … Hungarian is a shit language."

Mr. de Blasio knelt next to the 100-year-old Holocaust survivor and marveled as one of the workers in the senior center explained she kept busy with word search puzzles. Another woman at the table offered the secret to their longevity.

"We Hungarians live more," said the woman. "Like me."

"Yes, a lively people the Hungarians," Mr. de Blasio said. "Beautiful."

"You think how old I am?" the woman asked in broken English.

"You? I'm going to say 65," surmised Mr. de Blasio.

The woman informed him that he was off by three decades.

"No you are not," said Mr. de Blasio, feigning disbelief. "You are not. ... What do they drink in the water in Hungary?"

Though Mr. de Blasio clearly charmed many of the women at the senior center, he didn't seem to have gotten through to the centenarian. We asked her whether he had her vote.

"I don't understand what you say," she said.

After Mr. de Blasio thanked the women for the "great pleasure" of their company, he got in his black hybrid SUV and headed to Staten Island. Standing in front of the New Dorp railroad station, Mr. de Blasio quizzed his volunteers on a series of statistics.

Did they know Staten Island is part of the "most Italian-American congressional district by population percentage in the United States of America?" Were they aware New York hasn't had a Democratic, Italian-American mayor since Vincent Impellitteri's term ended in 1953?

His questions were clearly designed to show why Mr. de Blasio believes he could be able to bring the Democratic majority on Staten Island, which often votes Republican, into the outerborough coalition he hopes will propel him to City Hall. The final query in Mr. de Blasio's pop quiz impromptu pop quiz was about the margin of victory in President Barack Obama's recent re-election, which was the largest any incumbent has enjoyed since Ronald Reagan in 1984. Mr. de Blasio described this as "an extraordinary statement on the Obama campaign, considering they were goners in the eyes of certain analysts." Since the Obama campaign was known for the same type of grassroots approach Mr. de Blasio aims to employ, the second message behind his political statistics test was also obvious; candidates who are behind in the polls, like Mr. de Blasio, can pull off improbable victories.

Mr. de Blasio also offered further insight on the reasons for his optimism about how he will perform against Ms. Quinn and the other Democrats he will be pitted against in the primary election later this year.

"I think, if it's a question of what people are feeling and do they constitute a majority, there's no question in my mind that the things I'm talking about are what the majority of Democrats care about," he explained. "I think that means, in a primary where it's crucial to turn out your vote, that we're going to have a lot of folks who connect with my message."

One prominent naysayer has been Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson who has repeatedly argued Mr. de Blasio and other candidates who are focusing on criticizing Mayor Bloomberg are making a mistake given the mayor's high approval ratings. This is another point on which Mr. de Blasio believes his work on the city's streets will defy the polling data.

Bill de Blasio standing in Staten Island.

"You can talk about all the poll numbers you want, but that doesn't reflect the reality on the ground. … I think when you talk to active Democrats, there's no question that they are not satisfied. They don't think the status quo is sufficient," said Mr. de Blasio. "So, you know, Howard can keep falling back on poll numbers, but that's not how elections work. We're about to have a real debate in this city, something I don't think we've had enough of in the last few years. And I think when that debate ensues, that people are going to embrace the notion of some real changes that help people in middle class neighborhoods, working class neighborhoods, who just aren't being reached by the current policies."

In Staten Island, Mr. de Blasio met a man named Rich who seemed to prove his point.

"I'm Bill de Blasio. I'm running for mayor," he said as he shook the man's hand. "How you doing?"

Rich, who was wearing a colorful knit cap and had a pair of massive white headphones perched atop his head was quick to respond.

"I hope you get elected,' he said. "I hope someone better than Bloomberg gets elected."

"We're ready for something new aren't we?" Mr. de Blasio asked.

"Yes, we are. The city needs a change," said Rich. "The way we're going now, we're not going to survive another year."

"I'm ready. I thank you. I agree with you," Mr. de Blasio said as he let go of Rich's hand. "Keep me in mind."

As Rich walked away, one of Mr. de Blasio's volunteers chased after him to get his name and contact information. In their haste, they nearly fell to the ground after slipping on the snowy sidewalk.

Once two trains came and went from the railroad station, Mr. de Blasio was finished with Staten Island. As he walked back to his car for the last event of the day, taping another TV appearance at NY1's studios in Manhattan, a smiling Mr. de Blasio addressed his team.

"We have completed the mission," he said.

Times photographer Robert Stolarik and a police officer at an Occupy Wall Street protest last December. (Photo: YouTube)

According to the NYPD, New York Times photographer Robert Stolarik "violently resisted" being arrested Saturday night and "inadvertently struck" an officer after he got too close to police who were dealing with another suspect. Mr. Stolarik and Times attorney George Freeman dispute this account and claim he was kicked and beaten by the police after simply attempting to do his job. After a long winter that was filled with clashes between New York City's press and police at Occupy Wall Street, Mr. Freeman told The Politicker this incident shows the NYPD has failed on its promise not to interfere with those who cover the news on city streets. As for, Mr. Stolarik, he just wants to get his cameras and press pass back.

Mr. Stolarik was arrested at about half past ten on Saturday night while helping two Times reporters cover a story on Sheridan Avenue and East 167th Street in the Bronx. He told us they were "doing street interviews with people" for a story that involves "the neighborhood, and crime rate and things like this." He declined to go into further detail since the assignment was for a "pending story." When they heard an altercation in progress nearby, Mr. Stolarik said he crossed the street to get pictures of the police handling the situation.

"There were a decent amount of people in the street. I didn't even see the actual fight, it seemed like there was tension. Cops showed up, I crossed the street. I went to go shoot it," said Mr. Stolarik.

This is where the accounts of Mr. Stolarik and the NYPD begin to diverge. According to Mr. Stolarik, when he approached the scene the police grabbed his camera before pushing him to the ground.

"When I went to go shoot it, a cop grabbed my lens and shoved it down. I said, 'Don't touch my lens.' Another cop came to her rescue, if that's what we want to call it. He grabbed the camera, pushed it into my face. They both told me to 'get the fuck out of there' and I continued to shoot and asked for their badge numbers," Mr. Stolarik said. "When I asked for their badge numbers, they turned violent, they surrounded me, they knocked me to the ground, dragged me while I was on the ground. There were like six or more....One of which was kicking me in the back. They were not cuffing me and taking a real long time stepping on my head."

Inspector Kim Royster, a commanding officer in the NYPD's public information division, said she "spoke to the arresting officer and the lieutenant on the scene, as well as the command's executive officer who conducted an investigation" and received a far different version of events. Ms. Royster said the officers arrived on the corner after responding to a call reporting shots fired. When the police arrived, they determined the "call was unfounded," but they encountered a woman who had been assaulted.

"The photographer was a foot away from a police officer who was attempting to make the arrest of a young woman who had assaulted the female victim, and who tried to flee. The young woman was resisting arrest and the officers were attempting to handcuff her," Ms. Royster said. "There was a crowd control situation, about 100 onlookers at the scene. In the attempt to disperse the crowd, the photographer and other onlookers were given numerous lawful orders to move back. While the others in the group complied, Stolarik refused, in fact, he tried to get closer to the officers making the arrest."

Once the woman was handcuffed, Ms. Royster said "the officer was inadvertently hit in the face, not resulting in an injury, by Stolarik's camera."

"Upon being struck in the face, the officer attempted to place Stolarik under arrest. He refused and violently resisted being handcuffed. An additional officer received a cut on his hand while attempting to subdue Stolarik," Ms. Royster said.

Mr. Stolarik described the story that he was violently resisting arrest as, "the most absurd thing I've ever heard in my life." He said the claim an officer was hit by his camera "is also an untruth." He said he displayed his press credential and verbally identified himself as a member of the press. According to the Times' attorney, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Stolarik was a reasonable distance away from the officers and "the police didn't want him taking their picture and there didn't seem to be any reason for that other than to block photos of what the police were doing."

"He was grabbed, he was hit, he was surrounded, he ended up on the ground, he was kicked and, frankly, injured, so any notion that he could be the instigator is artificial, is made up," said Mr. Freeman. "The very notion of basically cursing at him to get away was unwarranted and, further, the notion that he was then surrounded, and cursed at and that physical contact was made of him by the police was totally unjustified."

After his arrest, Ms. Royster said Mr. Stolarik was taken to the 44th Precinct.

"EMS responded to the precinct and he refused medical attention," she said.

Mr. Stolarik said he went to the hospital following his release shortly before five on Sunday morning, which was about six hours after his arrest.

"I went to the hospital yesterday. I don't have any broken bones, but I'm hurt," he said. "I mean, I was beaten by grown men and I'm hurt."

Mr. Stolarik, who was charged with obstructing government administration and resisting arrest, said having his camera equipment and press pass taken by the officers was worse than any physical pain he may have suffered.

"I'm a freelancer for the Times. I've been there over a decade--been there for 12 years and I don't have cameras right now. I don't have a press credential. This is how I make my living and it's like I don't have any of those things," said Mr. Stolarik. "The police department has used this as their personal way to kind of take away my livelihood."

Mr. Stolarik said he believes the Times' lawyers are "trying to deal with" the situation with his cameras and credential, but as it stands, he will be unable to retrieve his equipment until his court date, which is November 26. He also believes the fact he was charged with anything "is ridiculous to begin with."

"This is my living. This is how I survive and I did nothing wrong. All I did was try to do my job. It's like, I show up to take pictures, do my job and the next thing I know, I have no equipment, no press credential," Mr. Stolarik said.

Mr. Stolarik doesn't know yet whether he's going to pursue a civil lawsuit.

"My main concern at this moment is, I'd like to get my press credentials and my cameras back," he said.

Mr. Freeman said he wrote a letter and email to the NYPD requesting the return of Mr. Stolarik's equipment and credentials, but he has yet to receive a response.

Both Mr. Stolarik and Mr. Freeman played roles in the many conflicts that occurred between the NYPD and the media during the Occupy Wall Street protests last winter. Multiple reporters claimed they were arrested or otherwise prevented from covering the raid on the Occupy Wall Street encampment in November. Officials have since disputed those accounts. Due to the issues that arose during the clearing of the Occupy Wall Street, Mr. Freeman and other representatives of media outlets in the City requested a meeting with NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. Following that meeting, Commissioner Kelly sent a memo to his officers reminding them not to interfere with reporters covering news events. In December, footage of Mr. Stolarik being blocked by police officers while covering an Occupy Wall Street protest at the World Financial Center attracted a great deal of attention on the internet. Mr. Stolarik told the Village Voice it seemed like one of the cops in the clip "didn't follow the departmental directive from Kelly."

Despite the tensions last winter, back in March, Commissioner Kelly told The Politicker he believes the NYPD has "a good relationship with the press." We asked Mr. Freeman whether he felt the latest incident with Mr. Stolarik showed the police have failed on the promises made to the representatives of media outlets who met with Mr. Kelly back in November. He quickly answered in the affirmative saying that, though he felt the press had "achieved an understanding with the brass," Commissioner Kelly's orders about respecting the media have seemingly gone unheeded.

"That, to me, is my main point," Mr. Freeman said. "We've been working with the NYPD. I think we've achieved an understanding with the brass. Commissioner Kelly reissued his finest a message that made clear that photographers doing their jobs shouldn't be interfered with or intimidated and that's exactly what happened here."

Mr. Stolarik was hesitant to say whether the overall relationship between the police and the press has improved.

"I don't know....I think there are different times. Sometimes, it's absolutely fantastic when you go to a scene, we're able to all work together and say, 'OK, you know, we're going to stand here.' Everyone tries to accomodate the other even though we have two different jobs to do," said Mr. Stolarik. "Things like this, it was not that at all. It was an attack."

Charlie Rangel on stage at Sylvia's.

"I also want to publicly thank my wife," Mr. Rangel said. "I forgot exactly what the contract was all about, it's been so long ago, but I'm certain it didn't include all of the bumps that she has gone through with me. Especially with the press that has been so hostile at times, of course, the health problems that I have had."

Mr. Rangel suggested the candidates who ran against him underestimated him due to his medical difficulties. He made it clear this was a mistake.

"I hate to disappoint my opponents for misjudging the importance of medical science when it comes to being ill," Mr. Rangel said.

His health was one of several factors that was seen as potentially weakening Mr. Rangel in this election. The redistricting process and years of demographic shifts saw Mr. Rangel's district expand from his Harlem stronghold to include portions of the Bronx and a Latino majority that seemingly favored his opponent, State Senator Adriano Espaillat, who would have become the first congressman of Latino descent if he managed to defeat Mr. Rangel.

Now, after winning this race, it is Mr. Rangel who is making history. His staff said his victory will make him the first African American congressman elected in the Bronx. In his election night speech, Mr. Rangel, who stood before a sign dubbing him "The Lion of Lenox Avenue" in Harlem, assured the audience he knows what needs to be done to serve his new constituents in the Bronx.

"Every hope and dream we've had on Lenox Avenue is the same thing they've had on Fordham Road," Mr. Rangel said.

Mr. Rangel also addressed his doubters, specifically the newspaper editorial boards who endorsed one of his rivals, Clyde Williams. He called the boards "strange people" for failing to recognize he was the best candidate in the race.

"The surprising thing is, some of the editorial boards--and I recognize they're special people--they thought otherwise even though they didn't know who was running against me," Mr. Rangel said. "When I asked them, 'Who are these people and what have they done?' They looked just mystified that you would challenge the editorial board."

Mr. Rangel finished his speech by vowing to prove to these "strange people" that he deserved to be re-elected.

"If they didn't think after 42 years that I was the best qualified, I promise them that, in the next two years, they'll have no question about the fact that you elected the best," said Mr. Rangel.