Cunningham Lost, But The Reform Minded Democrats Were Not Defeated

PLG/FLATBUSH – Last night was a somber affair at Brian Cunningham’s headquarters at Brooklyn Commons on Flatbush Avenue, and a massive disappointment for progressive Democrats in District 40 who worked hard to get him elected on a Reform Party line after establishment endorsed incumbent Eugene.

There seems to be a rift in Central Brooklyn among Establishment Democrats, and those who’d like to see some positive change and actual constituent service for their communities.

The fact that a deeply unpopular and ineffective incumbent, who’s opponents got 60% of votes in the Democratic Primary, won with 60% in a general election rife with electioneering abuses, is testament to the power the machine still has in Brooklyn.

Possibly, not for long.

Cunnigham, for one, is not planning to go anywhere, and promised to fight for everyone in District 40: “To everyone here in this community – tonight is just the beginning.”

“I will not be your council member, but I will be here to fight for you every single day. I will be here to advocate and agitate in the ways that I can from the outside and I truly can’t thank all the people in this room enough”, he said in the concession speech.

“Tomorrow we are back to work. There is so much more work to do. It is still our time.”

You can listen to his concession speech here:

There had been numerous reports throughout the election day of Eugene’s team, Council member included, ignoring the law and electioneering inside 100 feet of the entrance of a polling locations, and poll workers instructing voters to just vote down the Democratic ticket.

Whatever hope there was that the delay in reporting would bring good news for the campaign, quickly dissipated as the results rolled in putting Eugene in clear lead. It’s party politics as usual in this part of Brooklyn.