Although carnival revelry may already be the pervasive topic in some Caribbean circles, for a majority, the Sept. 10 primary is the event to decide key political positions in the city and will be evident on Labor Day when virtually every aspiring candidate walks blocks along Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway to get notice, media attention and endorsement from the millions who will attend the annual WIADCA festivity.
Brooklyn could elect its first Black Borough president. Two of the county’s BPs already threw support for assemblyman and former cop Eric Adams. The current president Marty Markowitz declared support for Adams, naming him the candidate he wants to be his successor. And former BP Howard Golden endorsed Adams as the best choice for the county.
The other top position in Kings County pits Ken Thompson against incumbent district attorney John “Joe” Hynes. Thompson, whose mother was a NYPD officer could topple a rule that began in the latter part of the 20th century when Hynes earned the top spot after championing the Howard Beach Murder Case. That controversial racial case decided the guilt of a white mob that chased Trinidad-born Michael Griffith to his death. Griffith along with Guyana-born Cedric Sandifford were allegedly pursued because they were Black and happened into the then-segregated Howard Beach community.
Thompson believes the champ should retire. He has been arguing a case for Hynes’ retirement since announcing his bid to be Brooklyn’s next DA. Thompson has been pounding the pavement and while he commends Hynes for his role in pacifying the city by securing convictions in the 1980s, he also has been driving home a notion that Hynes has overstayed his purpose. Thompson has been spotted at virtually every cultural and political event and will likely parade along Brooklyn’s longest boulevard to shore-up Caribbean votes.
The voice, face and activism of Conrad Tillard are familiar to New Yorkers. Two decades ago, he was known as Conrad Muhammad, the NY messenger placed in Harlem by Muslim Minister Louis Farakhan to lead. Throughout those years, Minister Conrad Muhammad staked a claim to represent youth and amplified a message of community empowerment. Since leaving the Harlem mosque, the Ivy League college graduate and scholar has found faith in Christianity and for a time hosted radio shows on WLIB-AM. On primary day, Tillard will seek a seat in the Democratic Party to represent Brooklyn’s 36th Council District.
Antonio Reynosa is determined to derail the possibility of Vito Lopez becoming a New York City Councilman.
Backed by Congresswoman Diana Reyna and councilmember Nydia Velazuez, the Latino-hopeful promises to deliver “the experience we need and the honesty we deserve.”
The fact Lopez was allegedly unseated from his upstate assembly job after a scandal dominated his daily routine could prove a liability for the ambitious Brooklyn politician.
The baggage former Gov. Elliot Spitzer carried after vacating the state house amid a scandal seems to have become less heavy now that he is aspiring to re-enter the political limelight as city comptroller. Will voters forgive, forget or vote Spitzer back into obscurity? Sept. 10 will be d-day for him too.
While there are several offices to contend, the marathon race will feature mayoral candidates eager to win the Democratic nomination in November. The field is vast and varied and could prove historic if it ends with either the first Asian or the first lesbian mayor-elect.
Fully loaded with political veterans the pack includes: former comptroller Bill Thompson, former congressman Anthony Weiner, former councilmember and current comptroller John Liu, former comedian Randy Credico, NYC public advocate Bill deBlasio and City Council speaker Christine Quinn.
Rivals from the Republican conservative and liberal parties include former MTA chairman Joseph Lhota and Gristedes Supermarkets owner John Catsimatidis. Former Bronx Borough president Adolfo Carrion is the independent candidate in this race.
