By Hunter Walker 6/11/12 1:46pm

Extreme Displeasure

Charles Barron (Photo: Facebook)

Politicians Blast Ed Towns For Endorsing Charles Barron

A slew of elected officials including Congressman Jerrold Nadler, former Mayor Ed Koch, Assemblyman Dov Hikind and Councilman David Greenfield teamed up this morning for a press conference denouncing longtime councilman and current congressional candidate Charles Barron as an “anti Semite,” “scary monster” and “bigot.” They also had harsh words for Congressman Ed Towns whose retirement opened up the seat and who endorsed Mr. Barron earlier this month.

Mr. Nadler said he specifically asked Mr. Towns not to endorse Mr. Barron.

“His response was that he would think about it and do what he thought proper,” Mr. Nadler told The Politicker.

He said he hasn’t spoken to Mr. Towns since. Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/04/12 3:00pm

dismissing ed

Ed Towns

Jeffries Campaign Not Impressed With Charles Barron’s Latest Endorsement

Both Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Councilman Charles Barron said they would like retiring Congressman Ed Towns’ backing for his own seat, but only one of them, Mr. Barron, received it.  And, not long after Mr. Towns’ endorsement event earlier today, Mr. Jeffries’ spokeswoman Lupé Todd described Mr. Towns’ decision in rather skeptical terms.

“Charles Barron has emerged from the backroom to consummate a shotgun marriage with a sworn political enemy,” Ms. Todd said in a statement, referencing Mr. Barron’s multiple campaigns against the incumbent. Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/04/12 2:17pm

boosting barron

The scene from today's event

Ed Towns Promises to Devote Whole Organization to (Moderated) Charles Barron

Congressman Ed Towns, who rather suddenly endorsed Councilman Charles Barron for his congressional seat this year, is fully behind Mr. Barron’s candidacy. Indeed, with a big smile on his face earlier today, Mr. Towns swore to put every resource he has into electing Mr. Barron, which he assured reporters would happen as the “Charles Barron for Congress” song blared from the lips of a throng of supporters around him.

“Why?” Mr. Towns asked himself to start off his speech. “Well, I’m glad you asked the question. We need a strong voice in Washington D.C., a person that’s independent and is going to tell it like it is.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/03/12 6:56pm

ny-08

Ed Towns

Ed Towns to Officially Endorse Charles Barron

We’ve been heavily hinting at the probability all weekend, but it can now be said for sure: Congressman Ed Towns will endorse his former opponent, Councilman Charles Barron, for his congressional seat tomorrow afternoon. Mr. Barron is competing against Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries in a high-profile Democratic primary election June 26th.

Various Brooklyn politicos have told The Politicker the decision can be attributed to the tension between Mr. Towns and the head of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Assemblyman Vito Lopez. In addition to supporting Mr. Jeffries this year, Mr. Lopez opposed Mr. Towns’ daughter when she unsuccessfully ran for the State Assembly last year for the seat held by her brother, Darryl Towns. Read More

By David Freedlander 5/02/12 8:39am

suggested reading

Morning Read: The Presidential Courting of Mike Bloomberg; A Hearty Huzzah To Quinn; Pork Politics

Why are Barack Obama and Mitt Romney seeking Mike Bloomberg’s endorsement?  His “ name is all but synonymous with Wall Street clout and nonpartisan politics,” writes Michael Barbaro.

Bill Thompson “flip-flopped” and now supports the Living Wage bill that passed the City Council this week.

The State Assembly passed a New York version of the DREAM ACT with a a privately financed scholarship fund to help the children of immigrants pay college tuitions.

State Senate Republicans voted to steer $10 million Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/16/12 10:59pm

talk of the towns

Hakeem Jeffries and Ed Towns (Photo: NY1)

Hakeem Jeffries Would Like Ed Towns’ Endorsement

Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries had critical words to describe incumbent Congressman Ed Towns when the two were competing against one another, but now that Mr. Towns has bowed out, Mr. Jeffries is paying a healthy respect to his record and is seeking his endorsement.

“I commend him for his 30 years of service and the decision that he’s made at this point to move on, and I wish him well at this next stage of his professional career,” Mr. Jeffries told Errol Louis on Inside City Hall earlier tonight. Read More

By David Freedlander 4/16/12 2:48pm

Congress

BANKS MERGER HEARING

MoveOn Spikes Football Over Towns Retirement

MoveOn.org will not be throwing a retirement party for Ed Towns. Instead, the message of the lefty cyber community is simple:  ”Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

“MoveOn members are excited to hear that after too many years opposing the interests of the 99%, Rep. Ed Towns has finally decided to retire,” says the group in his official statement. “From his vote for CAFTA to his opposition to a free and open Internet, Rep. Towns had long ago stopped fighting for working families so he can support corporate special interests instead.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/16/12 8:30am

Cash Money

Charles Barron (Photo: Facebook)

Charles Barron Largely Self-Funding Campaign

With Congressman Ed Towns’ sudden exit from his own reelection campaign last night, the primary field to replace him might very well only contain Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Councilman Charles Barron. And it’s a match where, in terms of resources, Mr. Jeffries looks likely to dominate.

Indeed, Mr. Barron appears to have only raised $41,000 in the last month, with $40,000 coming from the Councilman himself. He also has another committee, which he used in 2011 and has not filed a 2012 report for yet, where he and his wife gave close to $15,000 out of a bit more than $17,500 raised in total. Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/15/12 9:28pm

exit towns

Congressman Towns

Reports: Veteran Rep. Ed Towns Retiring

Congressman Ed Towns is not seeking reelection, Politico reported in an email tonight, citing “a source familiar with his decision.” This news was subsequently confirmed by the New York Daily News‘ Alison Gendar, who reported that Mr. Towns is making calls to supporters saying he’s not seeking reelection.

Mr. Towns’ reported exit is both surprising and unsurprising. He had no reelection campaign to speak of, but had also recently hired Hank Sheinkopf to handle his communications and was ramping up his fundraising as recently as March. Read More