Word out of East New York today is that Inez Barron is running for the state Assembly (40 AD) in the upcoming primary next September, if the seat becomes vacant. Inez Barron is the wife of NYC councilman Charles Barron (42), and a retired principal of a Bedford Stuyvesant public school. She worked for about thirty years with the NYC Department of Education, and was once the Executive Assistant to the Superintendant of the Brownsville School Board. She was also a teacher in the public education system.
Mrs. Barron- who is a member of the organization “Operation Power”- is also a political activist in her own right-just as much as her husband. She was a member of the House of Lord Church in Brooklyn (Rev. Herbert Daughtry) long before she married Charles, about twenty five years ago. She has played prominent roles in her husband’s many political campaigns, and is an astute political technician. Barack Obama likes to say how smart his wife Michelle is, and that she is the backbone of the family unit; and Bill Clinton always says that Hillary is smarter than he is on many issues; they are both correct. If Charles Barron said that his wife is smarter than he is, well he will probably be correct too; she does have a Master’s degree to go with her Bachelor’s degree. He has an Associates and a Bachelor’s only/lol.
The organization (Operation Power) was founded in October of 1997, by Charles Barron and many other progressive political activists, after Barron lost his first race for the NYC council earlier that year. It has been very active in the city’s politics, focusing primarily in Brooklyn. Among its members are educator Stanley (Stan) Kinnard, Paul and Peggy Washington, Joy Simmons and André Mitchell.
To Mrs. Barron’s chagrin, there are at least two others interested in running for the same seat. They are Kenneth Evans and Winchester Keys. Both Evans and Keys challenged incumbent Diane Gordon two years ago, with Evans coming in second to Gordon. Ms. Gordon is currently on trial in Brooklyn, for soliciting bribes. The trial is expected to end early next month. Many are saying that Ms. Gordon- who was caught on tape making questionable statements- is in big trouble here. Her attorneys have claimed that she was entrapped.
This new development is sure to impact on the political dynamics of East New York, Brooklyn. Barron’s group is intent on again running Mitchell for male district leader (Dems), and is also considering running Inez Barron for female leader at the same time, once there is a vacancy. They have decided to run Paul Washington- Charles Barron’s former chief of staff- to replace the term limited council man next year; and in the coming years, they also have their eyes set on competing for all the seats connected to that area-including State Senate and Congress.
Meanwhile, Charles Barron himself is still gearing up to run for the Brooklyn Borough President position next year, despite the fact that a few other blacks are intent on running for the same position. The other black candidates who are potential runners include State Assembly member Nick Perry, State Senator Eric Adams (word is that some are intent on drafting him for this run), and Yvonne Graham (former Deputy Boro Prez). Two other names that have been mentioned at times are: political activist Chris Owens and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery. My sources have been telling me that Montgomery is a no go, and they have outlined the various reasons why- which I won’t repeat here at present. My sources are also saying that Owens will run for a district leader position this year and skip the Boro Prez race; he is yet to say what he would do.
SIDEBAR
Word out of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, is that John Flateau is running to replace Al Vann in the 36th council district. Vann who will be term limited next year is set for retirement. Flateau will be a formidable candidate if he runs here. All this comes despite my sources saying (a while back) that Annette Robinson was also looking at this seat. Don’t expect them both to be in the same race people; unless there are goings-on that are yet to be revealed.
Stay tuned-in folks.