Rep. Jeffries Reflects on D.C.: ‘The Tea Party Folks, They’re off the Chain’
Months into his first term, his short time in Washington D.C. has Congressman Hakeem Jeffries convinced the Tea Party is out of control. Read More
Hakeem Jeffries Takes a Victory Lap
Last Thursday, Walter Mosley was elected to succeed Hakeem Jeffries in Brooklyn’s 57th Assembly District. Mr. Mosley was supported by Mr. Jeffries, who left the seat to run a successful congressional campaign, and the race was largely seen as a referendum on Mr. Jeffries’ ability to deliver for another candidate in his Central Brooklyn base. Politicker sat down with Mr. Jeffries yesterday to get his post-game analysis on Mr. Mosley’s campaign and the endorsements that didn’t go their way. Mr. Jeffries also talked about his plans for moving to Washington, his thoughts on the future of the Brooklyn Democratic Party in the wake of the Vito Lopez scandal and discussed ringing the opening bell at NASDAQ on the first anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street protests. Read More
More Victors Declared, Including Twice-Indicted William Boyland Jr.
A number of other candidates have won tough races tonight. As the results come trickling in, here are some notable ones:
Assemblyman William Boyland Jr., currently facing federal charges that he solicited bribes to pay his legal bills in an unrelated federal corruption case, won against a slew of challengers. Six opponents split the anti-Boyland vote, allowing him to skate by with a weak plurality.
State Senator Shirley Huntley, indicted a couple weeks ago on charges that she helped deliver member items to a sham non-profit, lost to Councilman James Sanders, who waged an aggressive campaign and managed to turn out his base in a seat made less favorable to Ms. Huntley in redistricting. Read More
Can Hakeem Jeffries Deliver His District to His Chosen Heir?
Hakeem Jeffries isn’t officially a congressman yet, but the rising Democratic Party star is already facing the first major test of his political power since he won the Democratic primary for New York’s 8th Congressional District June 26. With that victory, Mr. Jeffries virtually guaranteed himself a ticket to Washington to represent the overwhelmingly Democratic Brooklyn district following the general election in November. However, there is still the matter of who will replace Mr. Jeffries in the State Assembly seat he vacated to pursue his congressional campaign. Mr. Jeffries is backing District Leader Walter Mosley to succeed him in the 57th Assembly District, but Mr. Mosley has two tough opponents in that race today and insiders are keeping a close eye on the contest to see whether Mr. Jeffries can deliver his old district to his chosen heir.
“I know all three candidates, but I’ve worked closely with Walter over the last six years that I’ve been in the Legislature. We’ve worked on a wide variety of issues of significance,” Mr. Jeffries told Politicker this afternoon. “He’s been there as a close ally to help improve the quality of the public schools in the neighborhood, fight to stand up for senior citizens, to reform the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk practices, fighting with me to create and preserve affordable housing. On every single issue of significance, Walter Mosley has been there. There are going to be some very important issues to be decided in the State Legislature moving forward and I have the greatest degree of confidence in Walter that he can continue the work that needs to be done on behalf of the people in this wonderful community. Read More
Hakeem Jeffries Robocalls for Walter Mosley
Assemblyman and soon-to-be Congressman Hakeem Jeffries endorsed in a number of candidates the primaries happening on Thursday, including pols supported by the county organization, like Senator Martin Dilan and those opposed to it, such as District Leader Lincoln Restler. However, if there’s any race Mr. Jeffries really cares about, it’s surely the one to replace him in the State Assembly, where Mr. Jeffries will get a raw test if the political organization that propelled him to a congressional primary win earlier this year can be sustained and work for others. Read More
There’s a Bunch of Elections Thursday, Which Ones Should You Care About?
It’s Election Day in New York next Thursday! But instead of a titanic battle between ideologies–your Mitt Romneys vs. Barack Obamas, if you will–the options on the ballot will be little-noticed state legislative contests between candidates of the same party, often with few policy differences.
However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some exciting races happening. From “Who Gets Arrested for Raping a Grandmother?” to “Assemblywoman Caught Up in Sex Scandal with Two Young Men,” there’s been no shortage of nasty drama and mud slinging as voters head to the polls.
Here’s a breakdown of who’s running and why it might matter who wins. The list below focuses on Democratic races because the few Republican primaries in this staunchly blue city tend to have clear favorites or are taking place in such Democratic territory that the victor is reasonably likely to be irrelevant. Read More
Ola Alabi Nabs RWDSU
As race to replace Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries enters its last stretch, some of the last political forces are finally weighing in. The latest is the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which has sided with District Leader Ola Alabi over fellow District Leader Walter Mosley.
“Olanike has stood up with working people on issues such as the fight for living wages, responsible development, keeping Walmart out of New York City until they change the way they operate, our campaigns for dignity for car wash workers and a fair contract for our members at Bloomingdale’s,” the union’s president, Stuart Appelbaum, said in a statement. “We are confident that Olanike’s values are our values. We have seen it in the way she has served effectively as a State Committeewoman/District Leader; and we expect the same when she becomes a State Assemblywoman.” Read More
Walter Mosley Hopes to Replicate Hakeem Jeffries’ Magic [Video]
In the sweltering heat earlier today, District Leader Walter Mosley formally kicked off his campaign for the State Assembly seat currently held by Hakeem Jeffries. Mr. Jeffries, of course, is set to cruise into Washington D.C. after his dominating congressional primary win in the heavily Democratic area, leaving a vacant seat behind him.
“It’s a referendum of the amount of support the assemblyman has built up during his time in the assembly, … what he’s been able to do both statewide and locally,” Mr. Mosley said of Mr. Jeffries’ victory last month. “I think it can only help me going forward given our relationship, given our working relationship, our personal relationship, and our ability to have worked together in the four and a half years that we’ve both been elected officials.” Read More
Former ‘Chief Mom’ Files for Hakeem Jeffries’ Assembly Seat
Martine Guerrier, the former ”Chief Family Engagement Officer” for the Department of Education who went on to work with then-Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, appears to be formally throwing her hat in the ring for Brooklyn Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries’ seat by filing campaign paperwork today. Mr. Jeffries, a candidate for Congressman Ed Towns’ seat, is currently seeking higher office rather than reelection.
By registering a campaign, Ms. Guerrier is able to raise and spend essential campaign funds as part of her quest for public office. Read More
Walter Mosley Files For Hakeem Jeffries Assembly Seat
District Leader Walter Mosley has formally filed for the race to replace Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, setting up one of the more contentious Democratic primaries this cycle against his fellow District Leader Ola Alabi, who has already announced her campaign. Mr. Jeffries is in a contentious race of his own as he seeks to unseat veteran Congressman Ed Towns.
Mr. Mosley, who’s also a former Senate aide, was long thought to be interested in the seat. His newly registered committee will allow him to raise funds and place the tangible wheels in motion for an actual campaign. Read More
