Come September 2013, state senator Eric Adams (20SD/Brooklyn) will be a candidate in the primary election, seeking the democrat’s nomination for Brooklyn’s Borough Presidency. A win in the primary will give him at least a ninety-nine per cent chance of winning the general election; since in Brooklyn, democrats have a minimum five to one edge in registration, over all other political parties combined. Adam’s will be attempting to make history, by being the first black person (male or female) elected to that office.
Back in 2001, Jeanette Gadson -a former state assembly member- attempted the same feat. She failed. Ms. Gadson was also a former deputy boro-prez, serving under Howard Golden. She is now deceased. Marty Markowitz won the democrat’s primary that year, and went on to win the general election in a convincing manner.
I have had many credible sources tell me for quite some time now that Adams was going to seek the boro-prez position after Marty Markowitz is term-limited in 2013. In a phone conversation with Adams yesterday, he stated that right now he is first seeking re-election to his senate seat this year; then once he is successful, he will announce a run for the Brooklyn borough presidency sometime before Christmas 2012. He believes his chances of success are very high. I concur.
Most likely, I will eventually endorse Eric Adams for this position; since ostensibly, the only other candidates I was interested in supporting for this job are not going to run (Lori Knipel and Yvonne Graham). Right now there is only one other declared candidate. I can truly say that in my estimation, Eric Adams is the best person for this position right now. This is a man who has made many personal sacrifices for public service and community development. This is a man who on principle stood up with the forces that tried to defend term-limits in 2008; a man who as a police officer openly and publicly spoke out against police-misconduct. He is an exceptionally courageous individual; a man who has survived physical and professional threats.
Eric Adams is a person who has stood up for progressive values and marched for human rights. He is a political-activist par excellence. He is a civil-rights champion. He is inclusive. He works with people of all races and from all walks of life. As much as he is now an elected insider (state senator), he knows the streets better. He is as much at ease in the”hoods“as he is in the corridors of power; not too many elected officials can make this claim: as we elect more elites and bourgeois-types to office every year.
I have heard that there is a formidable line up of elected officials -of all races, nationalities, sexual orientations, ethnicities, religions, and the like- just waiting to come forward and support Eric for boro-prez. I have been told it will be a tremendous array from all over the state. The word is that Eric Adams has been quietly putting this key support together for some time now. The alignment is said to also include prominent unions and political organizations, active in NY politics. I will be surprised if it doesn’t include prominent Brooklyn clergy members. As odd-makers go, Eric Adams will be the immediate favorite for winning the position: no doubt. I am sure he is doing his homework in this regard. If he gears up now he can make this a non-contest or an early TKO.
So far the only other announced candidate is one of Marty’s deputies; but he will be running against the tide of history. There are some folks who have been pushing council member Tish James to run for the position; but she seems determined to run for the Public Advocate job, and tackle a more challenging city-wide race. There were also rumors that assembly member Nick Perry was interested in running for said boro-prez spot; but Nick is caught up in a re-election battle this year, that promise to be the most competitive in his 20 years in office.
I saw Perry at Roy Hastick’s (CACCI) Christmas event last year, and he accused me of recruiting challengers for him. So let me clear that up right here and now: NO. I have never recruited anyone to run against Perry: never. Potential candidates always seek me out before mounting insurgencies. I usually advise them on the merits and I usually discourage them. This has been happening since the nineteen-eighties. It has happened in many Brooklyn districts; including 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and some other ADs: likewise in the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st and other SDs. These are the facts. It also happens with city council districts. There have been times when this extends to other boroughs of New York City; and other counties too.
My role has always been to give the pros and cons of a potential run; and I am usually blunt. I give it straight with no chaser. As much as I have supported many a losing insurgent, I have discouraged ten times more than those who eventually ran.
I am really sick and tired of all the silly accusations made against me by black electeds. I have said it over and over: come to my face and ask; I will tell you. If I didn’t write it in my column then don’t believe it until I verify it. It is that simple. Otherwise; go fuck yourselves.
There are times when wannabee insurgents go out spreading stuff just because I choose engage them in phone conversations, without committing to helping or supporting them. Often times they misconstrue vibrant conversations for endorsements, support and/or help. Sure I am disappointed with what apologizes for leadership in this state; but I am reluctant to tackle other people’s battles: I am too old for that now. I will fight my own battles myself.
Last week another candidate currently running in the 55th AD accused me of writing negative stuff about him. When I challenged him to submit proof, he later apologized that people who told him this were playing games with his head. A week before that someone went up on Politicker and used my name to say I endorsed Frank Seddio to replace Lou Fidler in the city council: not true. I am angling to support Mercedes Narcisse -the Haitian-American activist- who has been involved in that community for eons.
Let me say this again, if you don’t see me write it in a column, then don’t believe it until I verify it. For example: I am intent on building a movement for term limits at all three levels of government in New York. I believe that there should be a twelve-year limit on all electeds in this state. I am open to it being grandfathered into law. I have discussed this with many black electeds. I have said this openly and publicly. I have even tried to get some electeds to sign on.
Last month I formed an exploratory committee to consider running for public office again this year, mainly in order to get this “term-limits” effort off the floor. The seats I have been considering running for are 40th, 41st, 42nd or 59th ADs. I am also considering the 21st Senatorial District (yes; Kevin Parker/lol).
This month (February) my committee and I will decide if I do it again or not. The 42nd AD is in play because the strong word is that Rhoda Jacobs is FINALLY retiring. That’s the only way I will even consider running: been there; done that before (wasn’t pleasant).
Since one can move in to any district and run in this redistricting year, the 40th AD is very intriguing challenge for me personally for a multiplicity of reasons; but then Chris Banks announced a challenge there, and that makes it tough to now consider fully.
For a split second I wanted to give token consideration to running in the 58th AD, only because I am sick and tired of Nick Perry always accusing me of wanting to run against him (or run someone against him): when it was never a consideration. Look Nick: I am not afraid to run since I am not afraid to lose. If I don’t run I will lose. However the 58th already has a challenger. So now I am down to four possible spots or none. I will tell you what though Nick: keep praying and maybe one day I will I will make your day.
If anyone out there wants to help me move this 12-year term-limits effort forward, then please feel free to contact me here (or anywhere). Until then let’s join the “Eric Adams for Brooklyn Boro-Prez” wagon train.
Stay tuned-in folks.
