Kings County Politics: Early skinny on Borough President’s race

Although the Borough President’s race is still a year away, several sources say Sen. Eric Adams has a strong inside track to replace the term-limited Marty Markowitz in 2013.
Thus far, the only declared candidate is Markowitz’s former Chief of Staff Carlo Scissura who, while raising a hefty $127,605, has never held elected office.
Adams has a large constituent base in the heart of the borough including Flatbush’s Caribbean community and the powerful Lubavitch Jewish sect in Crown Heights. He’s also fairly well-liked borough-wide and is a former cop.
“I like Carlo. He’s like a son to me, but the (Shorefront Democratic Club) board wants Eric,” said Coney Island Democratic District Leader Dilia Schack. “The only time I see Carlo in the community is for the concerts. Whenever there’s a problem in Coney Island with shootings, Eric will come down and work it out. The Police Department is all white and Eric has come down to make peace between the police and the community.”
Schack’s words are interesting in both their edge and because Coney Island is City Councilman Domenic Recchia’s district. Recchia is also rumored to be eying the Borough President race.
Veteran East Flatbush Assemblyman Nick Perry is also expected to throw his hat in the ring.

Central Brooklyn pushes Harlem
Central Brooklyn is poised to take over Harlem as the city’s new black political base, says one political insider.
“I think a lot of the consulting world is looking at Central Brooklyn as the new black political base shifting away from Harlem,” the source said. “There’s also a lot of progressive political leadership coming out of Central Brooklyn (Jumaane Williams, Eric Adams, Hakeem Jeffries) and you will see increased voting numbers and a strong base of support,”
The source also noted that there is talk of Harlem Congressman Charlie Rangel’s seat being pushed into the Bronx.

Congressional race goes as Bed-Stuy goes
With the 10th Congressional District contest now a three-way race, sources from several camps say Bedford-Stuyvesant will be the neighborhood to decide the primary showdown.
The political pundit thinking is that incumbent Ed Towns will win his Canarsie/Flatlands/Midwood base, City Councilman Charles Barron will win his East New York/Brownsville base and Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries will carry his Fort Greene/Clinton Hill/Prospect Heights base.
“The 56th District (Bed-Stuy) could very well be the bellwether district,” said Fort Greene Democratic District Leader Walter T. Mosley III, who is supporting Jeffries.
Towns, approaching his 30th year in Congress, said that “elections are part of the democratic process” and he’ll be ready.
“Bed-Stuy will be a real battleground, and I’m confident we’ll hold,” he said.

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Bruising battle for Assembly seat
Speaking of contests, the battle for the 57th State Assembly District seat promises to be down and dirty.
The seat opened up when current Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries announced his run for Congress because by law he can’t run for two seats at the same time.
Female Democratic Assembly District Leader Olanike (Ola) Alabi already declared she’s running, and judging from past elections, she’s already proven she has a take-no-prisoner approach to politics. She also knows the district and has strong union support.
Meanwhile, the male Democratic District Leader Walter Mosley III, said he also plans to run, but as an insider on Team Jeffries run for Congress, will for now focus on sending his mentor to Washington.
“I am jumping in, but I don’t respond to Ola. I never have and I never will,” said Mosley of Alabi’s e-mailed press announcement. “I will be very pragmatic in making my announcement and involve real people and an event that will display the real support I have.”
One political pundit source remarked this election may turn even nastier.
“This could get very bloody, but the loser could get a consolation prize if (Councilwoman) Tish James gives up her seat to run for Public Advocate,” the source said.