Ken Biberaj (Photo: Facebook)

Ken Biberaj, a vice president at the iconic Russian Tea Room restaurant, has hired a big name to work on his City Council campaign: veteran political consultant Hank Sheinkopf. Mr. Biberaj is running to replace term-limited incumbent Councilwoman Gale Brewer.

“As an Upper West Sider myself, I’m thrilled to work with a candidate who has such a compelling vision for the neighborhood’s future,” Mr. Sheinkopf said in a statement this morning. “It is important that we help protect small businesses and young families on the West Side, and I look forward to representing such a strong and motivated candidate as Mr. Biberaj.”

“We are putting together a strong team of both professionals and volunteers to have a first rate campaign," Mr. Biberaj said in the same statement. "I know Mr. Sheinkopf and his company will be instrumental in helping us do just that.”

Like many open council districts in 2013, the campaign to replace Ms. Brewer will be highly spirited one. District Leader Marc Landis, Helen Rosenthal, the former Chair of Community Board 7, and Mel Wymore, the former Chair on CB7, have all announced their campaigns and more candidates may still yet enter.