Party Leaders Come out to Support Lincoln Restler

In what can only be interpreted as a slap to State Assemblyman Vito Lopez, thirteen Brooklyn politicians came out yesterday to endorse the youthful Lincoln Restler in his bid to retain his unpaid position as district leader in the 50th District. Restler is being challenged by the Lopez-backed Chris Olechowski in a race that is bringing a rift in Brooklyn’s Democratic Party bubbling to the surface. The list of supporters includes folks like Borough President Marty Markowitz, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and State Senator Daniel Squadron. (See this NY Post story for the complete list.) “This race is about the future of Brooklyn politics,” Restler said on the steps of Borough Hall yesterday. “I am inspired by this groundswell of support from the leading elected officials in our borough against the status quo of machine politics.” As reported in the Daily News, Markowitz called Restler “a real Brooklyn character — with a style all his own [who] has brought fresh ideas to issues ranging from mass transit and education reform to open space, affordable housing and securing a much-needed supermarket in Fort Greene.” Olechowski is no stranger to local politics — the current chairman of CB1 has been involved in community boards for over 20 years.