Asian political club endorses Carroll in primary

Harris, Treyger also earn nods from leaders

September 9, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Robert Carroll, who is running for the assembly seat currently held by the retiring James Brennan, is among the candidates winning the endorsement from the New York City Asian-American Democratic Club. Photo courtesy of Friends of Robert Carroll

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Making one of its first forays into Brooklyn politics, a citywide Asian political club announced that it is backing three candidates in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary.

The New York City Asian-American Democratic Club (NYCADC), which formed in April to give Asians a stronger voice in city politics, is endorsing Robert Carroll in the race for the 44th Assembly District (AD) seat. The district includes Park Slope, Flatbush and Ditmas Park.

Assemblymember Pam Harris, running for her first full term in the 46th AD (Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Coney Island) also picked up an endorsement NYCADC, as did Councilmember Mark Treyger, who is vying for the post of Democratic district leader of the 46th AD.

“The candidates that we have endorsed have fought ruthlessly to advocate for constituents in their district and our fellow Asian-Americans,” NYCADC President Kenneth Chiu said in a statement.

Carroll, a lawyer, who is locked in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination with Troy Odendhal, a freelance radio producer, and Rob Curry-Smithson, a history teacher, said he is proud to be granted the “preferred” status by Citizens Union.

Assemblymember James Brennan, who has represented the 44th AD for 32 years, announced in May that he will not run for re-election.

Chiu said that Carroll earned the club’s endorsement because of his record of community service and his commitment to prioritize issues of language access, voter registration and affordable housing.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the NYCADC,” Carroll stated. “I look forward to fighting alongside them for the issues that matter to the Asian community.”

Harris, a retired correction officer from Coney Island who won a special election in November of 2015 for former Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny’s seat, is running for her first full term. Brook-Krasny, a Democrat, resigned from his Assembly seat in July of 2015 to take a job in the private sector.

Harris’ opponent in the Sept. 13 primary is Bay Ridge civic activist Kate Cucco, who served as Brook-Krasny’s chief of staff.

Chiu cited Harris’ work in support of legislation to increase living standards for working families, provide full funding to schools, reduce class sizes and secure streets to reduce crime as the reasons for the club’s endorsement.

Harris, founder of the nonprofit organization Coney Island Generation Gap, won her Assembly seat in a special election in November of 2015.

“I am very humbled and honored to have received the endorsement of the NYC Asian-American Democratic Club,” Harris said. “We live in such a wonderfully diverse community, and it has been a privilege representing each and every resident of our district.”

Treyger (D-Coney Island-Gravesend-Bensonhurst) is squaring off against Chris McCreight, a political consultant from Bay Ridge, in the race for Democratic district leader. McCreight, a founder of the political club Bay Ridge Democrats, has been endorsed by Councilmember Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-parts of Bensonhurst).

Chiu praised Treyger for the work he has done assisting families and business owners hit hard by Superstorm Sandy. Treyger is chairman of the City Council Committee on Recovery and Resiliency.

“I am extremely proud and humbled to receive the support of the New York City Asian American Democratic Club,” Treyger said. “This organization represents an exciting step forward for a growing and thriving community that is deservedly playing a larger role in our civic process.”