Cucco Announces Candidacy For 46th Assembly District

Cucco Announces Candidacy For 46th Assembly District
Kate Cucco. (Photo: Kate Cucco / Facebook)
Kate Cucco. (Photo: Kate Cucco / Facebook)

Bay Ridge community activist Kate Cucco, the chief of staff for former Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny, announced her candidacy this week to represent the 46th Assembly District, Kings County Politics reports.

Cucco’s announcement sets up a showdown in the upcoming Democratic Primary with Assemblywoman Pamela Harris, who won Brook-Krasny’s seat last fall in a special election.

Cucco, who is a member of numerous community organizations, including the Ridge Community Council, Dyker Heights Civic Association, Bay Ridge Democrats, and Coney Island Democratic Club, touted her experience while making her case to voters.

“I’m running for State Assembly because I have an insider’s knowledge of government and an outsider’s perspective,” she said in a statement published on Kings County Politics. “Our communities have lost faith in Albany and are seeking new leadership to help bring integrity to the legislature.”

If elected, Cucco promised to take aim at the state’s “corrupt campaign finance system” and pass laws to drive wealthy special interests out of Albany. She also pledged to support legislation to protect tenants, end illegal home conversions, and restore funding to public schools and universities.

Her opponent, Harris, has been appointed to four Assembly committees since she began representing the 46th Assembly District, which covers Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend and Sea Gate. She has sponsored legislation to expand Medicaid coverage, establish drug treatment centers, and encourage environmental sustainability projects.

Harris is a retired correction officer and founder of the nonprofit organization Coney Island Generation Gap.

The two will face off in the primary on September 13, while the winner will represent the Democratic Party in November’s general election.

Meanwhile, Kings County Politics reports reports that Democratic 46th Assembly District Leader Mark Davidovich announced he is retiring from politics — opening the door for Councilman Mark Treyger and political activist Chris McCreight to seek the position.