Southern Brooklyn Dems Endorse Pamela Harris To Represent 46th Assembly District

Several southern Brooklyn Democrats announced their support on Sunday for Pamela Harris, the Coney Island activist and former corrections officer running for the Assembly seat vacated by Alec Brook-Krasny, who stepped down this summer to work in the private sector.

Among those gathered at the Bay Parkway Promenade to endorse Harris were Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, State Senator Diane Savino, Assemblyman William Colton, City Councilman Mark Treyger, and Democratic Leader for the 47th Assembly District Nancy Tong. A representative from City Councilman David Greenfield’s office was also present.

The speakers praised Harris’ grassroots activism, particularly her support of Superstorm Sandy victims and her work as head of the community service organization Coney Island Generation Gap, as well as her more than two dozen years of service as a Rikers Island corrections officer.

“By any measurable standard, she is the best possible candidate,” said Jeffries. “If you look at Pam Harris’ background, track record, and experience, it’s clear to me that she’s got the courage, toughness, as well as the compassion and the community-centered mindset to be an effective member of the assembly.”

Harris said that If elected, she vowed to prioritize Sandy recovery efforts and work on issues related to education, housing, as well as youth and senior services. By supporting her candidacy, she said Democratic lawmakers were showing their siding with the community.

“These are not my issues, these are the community’s issues,” she said. “I believe that if you want something done, you do it yourself. It’s time now to have someone that is grassroots and community-minded to take this election.”

Harris seeks to clinch the Democratic Party nomination ahead of the November 3 special election, where she would face the likely Republican candidate Lucretia Regina-Potter. Had Brook-Krasny resigned prior to July 1, the public would have chosen a nominee through a primary process. Instead Harris and other prospective candidates, including Brook-Krasny’ former Chief of Staff Kate Cucco, former City Councilman Mike Nelson, and Bay Ridge attorney Cody McCone, are maneuvering behind the scenes to shore up support from district Democratic committee members, reports Kings County Politics.

“This is not a process that we asked for, but this is a process that we must embrace,” Treyger said of the special election process. “But now comes an opportunity. There is an opportunity right now to push forward someone that is a lifelong resident of this district, someone who embodies the term community.”

Savino said Harris would make a great partner in Albany. She also argued that Harris’ deep roots in the community would drive voters to the polls on election day, which is expected to see a low turnout.

“Any time you can get a candidate who has a grassroots following, that’s really what you want,” Savino said. “One of the ways to get voters to become more participatory is to feel like they have something invested in the candidate. And what better way to be invested than to support one of your own neighbors?”