Donovan endorses McCabe for City Council

March 7, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (center) says his former aide Liam McCabe (left) will make a great council member. At right is Sept. 11 first responder Shaya Gutleizer. Photo courtesy of McCabe campaign

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Republican Liam McCabe is getting a big boost from his old boss in his race for the City Council.

U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan, for whom McCabe once worked as an aide, has endorsed him in the race in the 43rd Council District, a seat that covers Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights and includes parts of Bensonhurst and Bath Beach. The district is currently represented by Democrat Vincent Gentile, who is term-limited and will be leaving office at the end of the year.

“We need common sense leadership in the City Council, and I know Liam will deliver for the people of South Brooklyn,” Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island) said in an endorsement statement issued on Tuesday.

McCabe worked on constituent services as part of Donovan’s Brooklyn staff, working out of the district office at 7308 13th Ave. McCabe also served as Donovan’s Brooklyn campaign director in the 2016 election.

“I am proud of the work I did for Dan Donovan and the New Yorkers he represents,” McCabe said.

During his time in Donovan’s office, McCabe worked to bring the congressman together with constituents who could further his arguments on behalf of legislation, including the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, a law that provides assistance to first responders suffering serious illnesses as a result of working on the recovery effort at the World Trade Center in the months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.

McCabe connected Donovan with local first responder Shaya Gutleizer, who told the lawmaker about his personal experience that the Congress member was able to include in his statement to Congress to advocate for the permanent extension of the Zadroga Act in December of 2016.

Gutleizer, a first responder who received a medical discharge from the U.S. Army as a result of respiratory issues that stemmed from the 9/11 terror attacks, is a volunteer with a Brooklyn ambulance service.

“Liam was an integral member of my Brooklyn staff where I witnessed firsthand his dedication to the community and understanding of the issues we face,” Donovan said.

McCabe announced his candidacy on Feb. 2. He is a lifelong Bay Ridge resident and an active member of political and civic organizations. He is the CEO of Steeplechase Strategies, a consulting firm. McCabe has his job at Donovan’s office to run for City Council.

The crowded field of candidates who have officially announced they are running for the seat includes Republicans Bob Capano and John Quaglione and Democrats Justin Brannan, Kevin Peter Carroll, Rev. Khader El-Yateem and Nancy Tong.