Arab-American leader said to be eyeing City Council run
Rev. Khader El-Yateem is Community Board 10 member
An intriguing new name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the City Council seat representing Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights. The Rev. Khader El-Yateem, a Palestinian who is the pastor of the Salam Arabic Lutheran Church, is rumored to be considering running for the seat currently held by term-limited Democrat Vincent Gentile.
Gentile, who has represented the 43rd Council District since 2003, is prevented from running for another term by the city’s term limits law and must leave office at the end of this year. Along with Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, Gentile’s council seat also includes parts of Bensonhurst.
King County Politics was the first to report that Pastor El-Yateem was a potential candidate for the council.