Praise for Brooklyn’s Democratic leader Seddio at post-primary breakfast

September 16, 2014 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Domenic Recchia and Frank Seddio

Share this:

Democrats are on a roll in Brooklyn, and nowhere was that more apparent than at Junior’s in Downtown Brooklyn Monday morning. An all-star cast of New York City’s political doers and shakers crowded into Brooklyn’s most famous diner for the Kings County Democrats’ post-primary breakfast reception, hosted by Brooklyn Democratic Chair Frank Seddio.

“We had a wonderful success this year in Brooklyn in the election — Brooklyn rules!” Seddio said. Now, however, the challenge for Democrats is to unseat Republican Michael Grimm in New York’s 11th District.

Domenic Recchia, the former councilmember battling Grimm for the Congressional seat, told the crowd, “It’s a close race, and I need your help to win. We have exactly 50 days left!”

Fresh from his primary victories, Seddio exuded confidence: “What we did with John Sampson, we’re going to do with Domenic Recchia. What we did with Jessie Hamilton, we’re going to do with Dominic Recchia. What we did with Jo Anne Simon, we’re going to do with Domenic Recchia. What we did with Felix Ortiz, we’re going to do with Domenic Recchia!”

Despite wielding a microphone, former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz had to shout to be heard over the din. “We’re here for Frank Seddio, our county leader, who has made the Democratic Party of Kings County the envy of Democratic Parties throughout America!”

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli called out, “Give it up for a great county leader Frank Seddio!”

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, who had backed Rubain Dorancy to take over BP Eric Adams’ former seat in the state Senate, credited Seddio with a “tremendous victory.” Dorancy, who was also endorsed by the Working Families Party, lost to Jesse Hamilton, strongly backed by Adams.

Emma Wolfe, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s top aide, extended quick thanks and congratulations to the primary winners, though many of de Blasio’s Brooklyn primary endorsements had failed to bear fruit.

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito told the gathering, “Let’s work together to get the state Legislature to become Democratic and make sure we move forward our progressive agenda.”

Jo Anne Simon, victorious in the primary for the 52nd A.D. (Joan Millman’s seat), got a hand from the crowd. Seddio had backed Simon, and she had praised his support during a debate. Her chief opponent, union organizer Pete Sikora, had been endorsed by de Blasio and the Working Families Party.

Sen. John Sampson, who fended off challenger Dell Smitherman despite being under indictment, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Seddio.

“The only thing I have to say, you see this man right here, Frank Seddio, our county leader? There’s one word that epitomizes him – loyalty. And wherever Frank goes, I will follow him. That’s what we need in a county leader – someone who keeps their word, and doesn’t abandon people in time of crisis,” Sampson said.

Former gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout, who just happened to walk into Junior’s for breakfast while the event was winding down, shook hands and posed for photos with Assemblymembers Joseph Lentol and Felix Ortiz, among others.

“There’s a longer-term question but in the short term, I want to be focused on the Democratic Senate, I think that’s the key,” Teachout said. “And so, helping out in whatever way I can. Downstate that means Kemmerer’s race and others.”

James Kemmerer is running against Republican state Sen. Marty Golden in Bay Ridge.