Looks like we’re in for two long years of sniping. Although the race for Brooklyn’s next borough president is in its infancy, the two politicians who’ve announced their candidacy to replace Marty Markowitz in ’09—councilmembers Charles Barron and Bill de Blasio—are already trading barbs, and the vituperative Barron has also slammed another possible candidate, Markowitz deputy Yvonne Graham. Unsurprisingly, Barron’s using the race card against both de Blasio and Graham, saying the former has sided with the white power structure at City Hall by voting against naming a street after Sonny Carson, and that Graham has been put into the race to divide the black vote. A de Blasio rep responded to Barron’s comment by saying that “voters will realize that Bill is the only candidate who can unite all of Brooklyn and represent everybody.” Meanwhile, a number of other politicians are also considering joining the fray, including Chris Owens, Sen. Carl Kruger, Assemblyman Nick Perry, City Councilman Michael Nelson, and Sen. Velmanette Montgomery.
Eight Politicians Weigh Run to be New Brooklyn President [NY Daily News]
Barron as Boro Prez: The Implications for Brooklyn? [Brownstoner]
De Blasio Announces Run For Borough Prez [Brownstoner]