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Get out and vote: Brooklyn 2014 Primary Guide

September 8, 2014 Compiled by Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Primary 2014 in Brooklyn. Photo by Mary Frost
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The state primary election takes place Tuesday, September 9. With Brooklyn running heavily Democratic, decisions made in the primary usually decide the general election in November.

Poll sites will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To check your poll site location and district information go to nyc.pollsitelocator.com

Here is a roundup of many of the races being decided in Brooklyn:

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UPDATE: For complete Brooklyn primary results, click here

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Governor: Andrew Cuomo vs Zephyr Teachout

Cuomo has been praised for on-time budgets, tough gun control laws and legalizing gay marriage. At the same time, he is tainted by the Moreland Commission scandal, and many Brooklyn voters are disturbed at the ethically-dubious closure of Long Island College Hospital (LICH). He is a proponent of charter schools.

Political newcomer Teachout, who has been discounted by some for her lack of experience in politics, is a Brooklyn resident and Fordham law professor who is running on a progressive anti-corruption platform. She has pointed to the closure of LICH as one of many cases of corruption in the Cuomo administration. She opposes fracking and wants to reverse Cuomo’s public school budget cuts.

Randy A. Credico, Democrat and Green Party, is also running for governor. He is a former comedian and political activist who has run against Schumer and Bill de Blasio.

 

Lieutenant Governor: Kathy Hochul vs Tim Wu

Cuomo’s choice, former congresswoman Kathy Hochul, credited with developing jobs in Western New York, has shown some weakness in recent days among liberal voters. Though Mayor de Blasio has described her as “a true progressive,” she opposes Obamacare and gun control, and supports environmental deregulation.

Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia University, has received positive press and the endorsement of the New York Times despite his lack of political experience. Known for inventing the term “net neutrality,” Wu (known as @superwuster on Twitter)  is considered a defender of consumers, the environment and immigrant rights.

 

42nd Assembly District: Rodneyse Bichotte vs. L. Rickie Tulloch vs. Victor A. Jordan

(Flatbush)

Bichotte, Jordan and Tulloch are facing off for the seat that Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs is vacating.

Former investment banker Bichotte says she will fight for increasing the minimum wage, jobs, election reform, education and affordable housing.  She is endorsed by Mayor de Blasio, Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer and multiple unions.

Assemblywoman Jacobs, DC37 and other unions have endorsed Tulloch. His campaign says he will work for jobs and to increase the minimum wage, improve education, expand access to health care and housing, and advocate for the DREAM act.

Former math teacher and economist Jordan is a member of the Community Board and a member of the CB 14 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). His top priorities are education and affordable housing.

 

45th Assembly District: Ben Akselrod vs. Steven Cymbrowitz

(Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island)

Akselrod was District Manager of Community Board 15, an aide to former State Senator Seymour Lachman and former City Councilmember Noach Dear and a NYC Department of Transportation Analyst. He says his top priorities are creating more jobs, keeping the community affordable, and improving education.

Cymbrowitz, longtime Assemblymember, has experience including Executive Director of the North Brooklyn Development Corporation, Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Homeless Housing Development for the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and more. Among his top priorities are addressing the heroin crisis, access to health care, protecting natural resources and rebuilding the Brighton Boardwalk.

 

46th Assembly District: Lucretia Regina-Potter vs. Stamatis Lilikakis

(Bay Ridge, Coney Island)

 Republicans Potter and Lilikakis are vying for Assemblymember Brook-Krasny’s seat. Brook-Krasny, a Democrat, is also running in November.

Potter is Republican District Leader/State Committeewoman for the District. She is director of communications of the Fiorello LaGuardia Republican organization, and member of the executive committee of the Kings County Republican Party. Her priorities are small business, education and quality of life for seniors and veterans.

Lilikakis, a small business owner, has been involved in youth leadership positions. His top priorities are reducing regulations on small businesses, Sandy relief, and reforming Common Core.

 

51st Assembly District: Felix Ortiz vs. Ceasar Zuniga

(Red Hook, Sunset Park)

Ortiz, Assemblymember for two decades, has experience as an analyst in the NYC Office of Management and Budget, on the Bronx Borough President staff, on community planning boards and organizations and in the State Legislator. His top priorities are better nutrition and health care in schools, education, jobs and raising minimum wage. He is a proponent of election reform, and has been endorsed by NYS Comptroller DiNapoli, StreetsPAC, NYS Public Employees Federation and NY AFL-CIO.

Zuniga has years of experience in early childhood education. He has also served on the community board and held positions on the Education, Economic Development and Public Safety committees. He has received the endorsements of Councilmember Carlos Menchaca and the New Kings Democrats, Lambda Independent Democrats, Brooklyn Young Democrats, NYSUT, UFT and PSC-CUNY. His top priorities are early childhood education, economic development, redeveloping the waterfront and affordable housing.

 

52nd Assembly District: Jo Anne Simon vs. Pete Sikora vs. Doug Biviano

(Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Park Slope)

Simon, Sikora and Biviano are fighting to take over the seat being vacated by longtime Assemblymember Joan Millman.

Simon, who has served as Democratic District Leader and State Committeewoman with extensive experience on issues like Atlantic Yards and the Gowanus Expressway, scored the endorsement of the New York Times as well as NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Assemblymember Joan Millman, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and many others. “Jo Anne Simon, a respected lawyer, has been a stalwart worker for the community, helping to fight Vito Lopez,” the Times said. She supports LICH, will sponsor a Health Care Management Information Act, and is against condos at the Heights Library branch and on Pier 6.

Sikora, an organizer for the Communication Workers of America who worked on NYPIRG’s successful effort to pass lead paint legislation, received the endorsement of Mayor Bill de Blasio, who said Sikora “cares about diverse, inclusive and affordable Brooklyn neighborhoods, and has a record of getting results.” He also received endorsements from a large number of unions and state Sen. Daniel Squadron, City Councilmembers Stephen Levin and Brad Lander. He wants to reform Albany, supports LICH and is against condos at the Heights Library branch and on Pier 6.

Biviano, who says he is campaigning “against developers, lobbyists and political bosses” to return power to the voters, has accused his opponents of being part of a political machine coordinated through political PR firm Berlin Rosen, and of being influenced by Brooklyn “boss” Frank Seddio. He supports LICH and is against condos at the Heights Library branch and on Pier 6. He has received the endorsement of former mayoral candidate Sal Albanese.

 

54th Assembly District: Erik Dilan vs. Rev. Kimberly Council

(Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant, East New York)

In the 54th, former Bushwick Councilmember Dilan is facing off against Rev. Council, for Councilmember Rafael Espinal’s former Assembly seat.

Council calls herself “fresh leadership,” and is calling for a $15 an hour minimum wage, supports the DREAM act and affordable housing, renter protection, increased school funding and more afterschool programs.

Former councilmember Dilan, a longtime ally of Vito Lopez, stresses his years of experience. He supports a $10 minimum wage with in increases indexed to inflation and affordable housing, and has said he would have second thoughts about increasing the number of casinos. The city’s aging infrastructure and campaign finance reform are some of his concerns, he says.

 

55th Assembly District: Lori A Boozer vs. Latrice Monique Walker vs. Anthony Tony Herbert.

Also Anthony Jones, David R. Miller

(Brownsville, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights)

Several candidates are running for ex-Assemblymember William Boyland’s seat. Boyland was convicted of bribery and extortion in March, and his legal problems have left the district without political representation for close to a year.

Walker said she would fight to freeze rents and stabilize the Mitchell-Lama program, decrease violence, work to add jobs, and support schools. Walker served as counsel to Congresswoman Yvette Clarke for eight years, who said Walker would “hit the ground running.”  She was also endorsed by Assemblymembers Annette Robinson and Nick Perry, Councilmembers Robert Cornegy and Laurie Cumboand others.

Congressman Edolphus Towns, 1199SEIU and other unions have endorsed housing specialist Lori Boozer. Boozer says her priorities include affordable housing, rent regulation, education and jobs, including a $15 per hour minimum wage.

Businessman Herbert, borough director of Share For Life, Inc., has served as special assistant to Congressman Edolphus Towns and special assistant to Councilmember Priscilla Wooten. He is also involved in youth sports. His top priorities are public safety, job creation and affordable housing.

 

60th Assembly District: Charles Barron vs. Chris Banks

(East New York)

Former City Councilmember Charles Baron is running for the seat his wife, Inez Barron currently holds. (Inez took over the seat from her husband after beating Banks five years ago.) Barron has been active in community organizations for decades. His says his priorities are alleviating poverty, quality education, affordable housing and economic development. He supports progressive taxation. He has received the endorsement of a large number of unions and the Amsterdam News.

Activist Chris Banks, the founder of the East New York United Concerned Citizens, served on Community Board 5 and on several community associations. He lists his priorities as protecting seniors, creating opportunities for youth, reforming criminal justice, jobs, housing, and a fair distribution of shelters in downstate communities. He has received the endorsement of CWA Local 1182, Lambda Independent Dems, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Assemblyman Walter T Mosley and others.

 

19th state Senate District: Dell Smitherman vs. John L. Sampson. Also: Elias J. Weir and Sean K. Henry

(Canarsie, Brownsville, Mill Basin, East New York)

Smitherman is the former Political Coordinator of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. He lists campaign finance reform, money for public schools and affordable housing as priorities. He has been endorsed by Gov. Cuomo, the Teamsters and others.

Senator Sampson is a 17 year veteran of the state Senate. He says his top priorities are education, health care and affordable housing, and supports better ballot design, easier registration and Equal Pay for Equal Work. He is currently under indictment for corruption.

20th state Senate District: Rubain Dorancy vs. Jesse Hamilton

(Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Sunset Park)

Dorancy and Hamilton are vying the empty state Senate seat vacated last year by Brooklyn Borough President Adams.

Dorancy, a former teacher and member of the local school board, serves as a senior administrator in the city’s Department of Education. He says he has dedicated himself to “fight on behalf of communities that are marginalized, disenfranchised and considered voiceless.” Dorancy supports compulsory Universal pre-K, the DREAM Act, raising the minimum wage and rent control laws. He has received endorsements from Mayor Bill de Blasio and Councilmember Jumaane Williams, among others.

Hamilton is an attorney with the NYC Department of Finance and has served as a community board president. He says he will support participatory budgeting, a change to the partial unemployment laws, affordable housing, and education. He is endorsed by the UFT, CSA and NYS Teachers Association. He has been also endorsed by BP Eric Adams, state Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, and others.

 

18th state Senate District: Martin Malave Dilan vs. Debbie Medina

(Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, East New York)

Dilan is current state Senator of the 18th District. He has years of experience in government, including a stint as a former school board member and president, and as a city councilmember.

 Medina has worked for 28 years as an organizer and housing advocate at Southside United Housing/Los Sures. She has a history of community involvement, including serving as 90th Precinct 1st VP, and is currently co-chair of the Southside Fair Housing Committee for Equal Justice.

 Want more details? Gotham Gazette publishes an in-depth voting guide, as does Ballotpedia and the League of Women Voters.

 

 

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