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Nydia Velazquez

4 By Colin Campbell 2/08 1:16pm

nydia's nemisis

Councilman Dilan (Photo: Facebook)

Is There a Path to Victory for Erik Dilan?

Earlier today, Liz Benjamin reported Councilman Erik Dilan is raising money for a federal office, suggesting his rumored campaign against Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez should be taken much more seriously. A Democratic source also told Chris Bragg that Mr. Dilan was close to making a decision.

But could Mr. Dilan win?

Ms. Velázquez, who's a long-time political opponent of Brooklyn's Democratic leader, Assemblyman Vito Lopez, would surely see the county's Democratic organization support Mr. Dilan's primary challenge should he pull the trigger. Having establishment support for a low-turnout primary battle would be a powerful tool for Mr. Dilan to have in his back pocket.

On the other hand, Ms. Velázquez is a pillar in parts of New York City's Puerto Rican community and taking out a veteran incumbent is never an easy task.

A Democratic operative supporting Mr. Dilan told The Politicker he believes there could be a viable path to victory in this diverse district. Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/08 8:05am

feuds

Councilman Dilan's current district

Battle Lines Continue in Northern Brooklyn?

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez has seen herself on the opposing side of Brooklyn's Democratic boss, Assemblyman Vito Lopez, quite a few times lately. From what Roberto Perez reported last night, this electoral rivalry looks likely to continue.

First off, Mr. Perez's sources again float the long-rumored suggestion that one of Mr. Lopez's key allies, Councilman Erik Dilan, might throw his own hat in the Congressional ring and challenge Ms. Velázquez himself.

Read More

By David Freedlander 1/23 11:07am

letters

Soldier Killed

In Wake of Army Private’s Death, Gillibrand, Velazquez Call For Oversight of Hazing

Today  Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) joined two California House Democrats--Judy Chu and Mike Honda--to call on the U.S. Army to review how the department tracks its hazing and harassment incidents and implements anti-hazing training.

The letters comes after the death of Danny Chen, a 19-year-old Private from Manhattan's Chinatown who committee suicide after undergoing near-daily hazing and physical abuse.  "Last month, Senator Gillibrand called on the Defense Department for a system-wide review of bullying and mistreatment after another New York City based soldier,  Marine Pvt. Hamson McPherson, Jr., of  Staten Island committed suicide, allegedly due to hazing. Read More

2 By David Freedlander 11/15/11 5:29pm

In The Money

intro1

1% Congress: Maloney, Lowey Among Capitol’s Richest

The Center for Responsive Politics is out with a list today of the wealthiest members of Congress. Among those with the deepest pockets include Westchester Rep. Nita Lowey, whose average estimated net worth is listed as over $41 million, and East Side Rep. Carolyn Maloney, whose average estimated net worth is over $28 million.

According to report, about 47 percent of Congress, or 249 current members of Congress, are millionaires. Read More

By David Freedlander 9/28/11 3:35pm

letters

2009326144754350-CopyofNVRevised_resized

Nydia Velazquez Warns ‘Super Committee’ Over Cuts

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez became the first local rep to issue a blunt warning to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction--a.k.a "The Super Committee"--writing a letter to members that stated that any efforts to reduce the deficit must not include cuts to federal housing programs.

"From affordable housing, to job creation, New York’s entire economic well being could be fundamentally shaped for the next decade by the Super Committee’s decisions,” Velázquez.  “We need to make our City’s voice heard early and often throughout this process.” Read More

2 By Azi Paybarah 8/14/11 11:50am

suggested reading

AUGUST 12: Minnesota Congresswoman and Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann looks out the window of her bus as she leaves the Iowa State Fair August 12, 2011 in Des Moines, Iowa. Most of the Republican presidential hopefuls are visiting the fair ahead of Saturday's Iowa Straw Poll to greet voters and engage in the traditional Iowa campaigning ritual. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Sunday Reading: Bachmann Surges, Pawlenty Exits, Perry Enters

 

2012: Bachmann wins Ames straw pol with 4,823 votes; Ron Paul got 4,671. Pawlenty got 2,292. [Thomas DeFrank and Rich Schapiro / Daily News]

2012: Pawlenty drops out. [ABC News]

2012: Texas Gov. Rick Perry enters, officially. [Dave Montgomery / Star-Telegram]

2012: "Perry’s announcement stepped on Bachmann’s triumph in the Ames Straw Poll, the biggest moment yet in her presidential campaign." [West, Mehta and Reston / SentinelSource.com]

2012: "Republicans sense a new opportunity to win back the White House, but there was little clarity about whether voters would choose someone from the party establishment, an outsider or a hybrid." [Jeff Zeleny / New York Times]

2012: Romney's name was on the Ames ballot, but didn't campaign; Perry was not on the ballot. [Jonathan Weisman and Neil King Jr. / WSJ]

2012: Fact-checking Perry's statements on budget, jobs. [Dallas News]

2012: Perry's program to fund tech companies in Texas gave a lot of money to companies run by political donors. [Charles Dameron / WSJ]

Congress: "Rep. Nydia Velazquez has not sponsored one bill, amendment or resolution this year." [Alison Gendar / Daily News]

Lawsuit: GOP County Exec in Buffalo, Collins, accused of unfairly firing a prominent Democrat in his administration. [Phil Fairbanks / Buffalo News]

Ads: Spokeswoman for Collins' Dem rival explained why they are using actors in their campaign ads. [Robert McCarthy / Buffalo News]

Ads: Bloomberg highlights his fight against coal. [Flickr]

Redistricting: "About the only thing near-certain is that all of Staten Island will remain in the 13th C.D., which will link in some fashion to Brooklyn and not Manhattan, as it did several decades back." [Judy Randall / SI Advance]

Layoffs: NYC delayed sending pink slips to 465 park workers; may send next week if deal with labor union isn't achieved. [Michael Saul / WSJ]

Unions: CSEA will tally votes tomorrow on whether to accept deal with Cuomo. [Rick Karlin / Times Union]

NYPD: Ticket-fixing probe shrinks scope down to 12 cops. "No high-ranking member of the NYPD are expected to be charged." [Alison Gendar andKevin Deutsch / Daily News]

NYC Dept. of Corrections: Chief Davis resigned. He may have used a public employees as "his personal valets." [Reuven Blau and John Doyle / Daily News]

NYC Dept. of Corrections: "Department of Investigation began looking into allegations that Davis took vacations that were paid for by his subordinates." [Goldenberg, Otis and Perone / NY Post]

Brooklyn: Vito Lopez allies are new board members of Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council. [Gary Buiso and Aaron Short / NY Post]

Crown Heights: How much has changed since the 1991 riots there? [Simone Weichselbaum and Katie Nelson / Daily News]

Transportation: "[W]e hope New Yorkers will heed our ad campaign, "Don't Be a Jerk," and call out the rogue riders," wrote NYC Transportation Commissioner. [Voice of the People / Daily News]

Fracking: Editors urge Christie to veto NJ bill outlawing franking. "[I]t would do enormous damage. To the nation. To Jersey. And even to Christie's own political prospects (should he ever decide to seek national office)." [NY Post]

Trees: Some newly planted trees in Brooklyn aren't doing so well. [Sarah / KensingtonProspect.com]

Schools: In one year, Buffalo Superintendent out of town "more a total of more than 130 days." Currently on vacation while Board of Ed tries firing him. [Mary Pasciak / Buffalo News]

Schools: Bloomberg defends new sex education requirement; says parents aren't teaching their kids these lessons. [Michael Saul and Lisa Fleisher / WSJ]

District Attorney: Two high-profile losses may hinder a Texas DA's first re-election. [Geoff Grammar / Santa Fe New Mexican]

Opinion: "He is still the same anti-American leftist he was before becoming our president." [Norman Podhoretz / WSJ]

Media: NYT public editor asks, "did Joe Nocera really go too far" when he called Tea Party members "terrorists" on a "jihad"? [Arthur Brisbane / New York Times]

1 By Kara Bloomgarden-Smoke 7/18/11 3:49pm

54th Assembly District

Ms. Towns, from her campaign website.

Sides Begin to Take Shape in 54th District Filings

The first round of campaign filings for the 54th Assembly District gives a glimpse into the proxy battle between three of Brooklyn's power brokers.

Deidra Towns, raised $93,915, the most of any candidate, and also had the most corporate donations with $20,650.

Her father, Congressman Ed Towns, gave $1,000 from his personal account and $3,000 from his reelection fund, and appears to have leaned on some friends in the Congressional Black Caucus. Read More

8 By Kara Bloomgarden-Smoke 7/15/11 12:23am

very special elections

Courtesy Jesus Gonzalez for Assembly

Personable Jesus: Reformers Hope for a Savior in Brooklyn Special

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Jesus Gonzalez finished a Newport outside his Bushwick office, then ducked to the back with a comb and some gel. He emerged with his close-cropped hair slicked down, and picked up a stack of campaign literature before setting out to knock on some doors.

“It is one of the oldest community organizing tactics,” said Mr. Gonzalez, in an untucked beige polo shirt, an oversized blazer, baggy jeans and shiny patent leather kicks. “Even Jesus’ disciples did it to spread the word.”

Mr. Gonzalez, who goes by the English pronunciation of his first name, Jesus – though some supporters have quietly tried to push the Spanish pronunciation for the campaign – will need some new converts to win the upcoming special election in New York’s 54th Assembly District. Read More

1 By Azi Paybarah 6/15/11 1:56am

anthony weiner

Staying or Going? Either way, Anthony Weiner isn't making it easy for New York. (photo credit: azi paybarah / observer)

Anthony’s Exposure: New York Has a Long Hard Weiner Problem

After a nationally watched campaign in upstate New York, Kathy Hochul made her New York City debut Monday morning at the stately University Club on West 54th Street.Hundreds of guests attending the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Breakfast milled around a breakfast buffet of muffins and fruit salad, while their host, Nora Brenes, introduced Mrs. Hochul as the winner of a special election "that came about as a result of our male New York congress members who keep taking their shirts off," according to one attendee.

The crowd laughed, because an Anthony Weiner joke at a Democratic political function is one that needs no explanation. He is, much to the chagrin of his New York colleagues, everywhere: overshadowing their message, imperiling a safe congressional seat, and affecting their redistricting plans. Read More