Levin picks up StreetsPAC endorsement

August 22, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

StreetsPAC praised Councilmember Stephen Levin’s efforts to get the Department of Transportation to install pedestrian safety measures on Jay Street. Photo courtesy of Levin’s office

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Councilmember Stephen Levin, who represents a diverse district that runs from Greenpoint to Downtown Brooklyn along with several neighborhoods in between, has picked up a big endorsement in his bid for re-election.

StreetsPAC announced that it is backing Levin, pointing to his success in convincing the Department of Transportation to redesign Jay Street with protected bike lanes and pedestrian islands as a major reason for their nod.

Brooklyn Councilmember Antonio Reynoso, who is considered by many political observers to be a rising star in New York City Democratic politics, has also been endorsed by StreetsPAC.

StreetsPAC announced the endorsements on Monday. StreetsPAC is a political action committee that focuses on improving the safety of New York City’s streets.

StreetsPAC Executive Director Eric McClure praised both Levin and Reynoso for their work to make streets safer. “They’ve proven themselves to be deeply committed to safer streets and better transit, and we look forward to their continued strong support for advancing Vision Zero,” he said in a statement.

Levin represents Brooklyn’s 33rd Council District. He first ran for the City Council in 2009, when David Yassky, who was the member of Council representing the district, decided to leave to run for city comptroller.

Levin won the Democratic Primary in September of 2009, beating out six other candidates, and went on to win the general election that November.

He made sure that he prepared ahead of time. “The primary was in September. I started knocking on doors in February,” he told the Brooklyn Eagle in a 2015 interview.

Like Levin, Reynoso has also made political experts sit up and take notice. StreetsPAC cited Reynoso’s efforts for safety improvements for pedestrians and bike riders on the city’s streets as a major reason for its endorsement.

The group also praised the work Reynoso (D-Bushwick) has done to get the Department of Sanitation to clear streets and sidewalks of snow in a more timely fashion after snowstorms.

Reynoso, who represents the 34th Council District, is the chairman of the Committee on Solid Waste Management.

Reynoso won his Council seat in 2013 and is now running for his second term. During his first campaign, Reynoso said he knocked on 6,000 doors in the district, meeting constituents and talking to them one-on-one about their issues.

“I had so much energy. I couldn’t sleep,” Reynoso told the Eagle two years ago. He recalled telling himself, “Win this race and it will change your life.”

Earlier this summer, StreetsPAC endorsed incumbent Councilmembers Brad Lander (D-Park Slope) and Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park-Red Hook), as well as Democrat Justin Brannan, who is running an open Council seat in Bay Ridge.

Democrat Ede Fox, who is challenging incumbent Councilmember Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene-Clinton Hill) won the backing of StreetsPAC. The organization has endorsed Brian Cunningham, a Democrat running in the Sept. 12 primary against incumbent Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush-Kenginston).