Upcoming Elections And Early 2021 Candidates

BROOKLYN — New Yorkers will vote on more than just the public advocate’s race this year. Republican District Leaders are up for election and county leaders for the Conservative and Republican Parties could also have active races.  Some eager state and congressional candidates have also declared they’re running in 2021.

Here’s the skinny on some candidate’s rumored or who have already announced their candidacy in the borough of Kings.

On Saturday, Conservative Party leaders will cast their vote for a new chair after Michael R. Long resigned after 30 years. Erie County chair Ralph C. Lorigo will oppose Brooklyn’s former Conservative chair Gerard “Jerry” Kassar, who’s favored to win. Like many downstaters who’ll vote more than once for the same election, committee leaders will vote again in July for a chair to serve a full, two-year term.

After serious blows to the Brooklyn GOP faction, the Party could see some new blood.  It’s rumored that Christine Parker will challenge GOP Chair Ted Ghorra. The Central Brooklynite ran against Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo during the 2017 City Council race and is related to State Sen. Kevin Parker— they’re cousins. The election is June 2019.

Lucretia Regina-Potter will take a stab at reclaiming her district leader’s seat of the 46th assembly district. This election, the longtime Bath Beach resident is running with Daniel Slavin, 22, of Sea Gate as her male district leader. Slavin is a graduate of Steven’s Institute of Technology where he studied computer science and engineering. Kerri McCarthy and Frank Esposito currently hold the office.

And as some Republicans vie for other positions, some Dems are already eyeing their seats.

Last month Bklyner reported Nicole Malliotakis opened an exploratory committee to run for the 11th Congressional seat. Now, candidates are vying for her assembly seat. Adam Baumel is undecided about running again for the 64th Assembly seat, but Brandon Patterson opened a committee this month. The 29-year old Democrat has lived on Staten Island his entire life and moved into the district 5 years ago. He’s served as a district leader for the past two years and currently works as deputy chief of staff for State Sen. Diane Savino.

“The time’s just right,” said Patterson.

No one’s safe in politics, including 12-term Assemblyman Bill Colton (D). His opponent, Ray Denaro, a Republican, is looking to snatch the 47th assembly seat away from the longstanding state lawmaker. Denaro thinks Colton has taken a back seat in the community. In 2017, the 28-year-old ran an unsuccessful council run against Councilman Treyger.

“My campaign slogan is “People Over Politics” because I feel the people are being pushed aside by typical machine politicians,” said Denaro.

There’s some election movement in Sunset Park too.  Avery Periera will oppose Nydia Velazquez for the 7th Congressional district. Periera’s a district leader in the 51st assembly district. He announced his candidacy two weeks ago.

Finally, last month Bklyner wrote about several candidates already running for City Councilman Jumaane Williams’ seat even though he hasn’t won the public advocate’s race.