Clarke endorses Cumbo’s re-election bid

August 3, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Councilmember Laurie Cumbo (left) deserves a second term in office, according to U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (right). Photo courtesy of Cumbo’s campaign

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Councilmember Laurie Cumbo, facing a tough challenge from fellow Democrat Ede Fox in her bid for re-election, has picked up a number of high-profile endorsements in recent weeks.

U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Central Brooklyn) is the latest political heavyweight to endorse Cumbo.

The endorsement announcement took place Aug. 1 at a spot located near Medgar Evers College and Ebbets Field.

“Laurie Cumbo has demonstrated time and time again that there is no challenge that our community doesn’t face that she will not meet head on and make sure that the interests of our communities are met. Whether its education, from higher education to pre-K, Laurie has been a voice knowing that there are families in our community that have benefitted greatly from progressive legislation and policies,” Clarke said in her endorsement announcement.

Cumbo said she was grateful for Clarke’s backing and that she plans to work to make New York City a more equitable place to live.

“It is an honor to have so many supporters here. Not just for me, but for their belief in our ability to transform our community into a more equitable place. I am committed over the next four years to continue to grow our community; to build more affordable housing, to build more low-income housing, to make sure we create pathways because we know 60,000 people still sleep in our shelters every night,” Cumbo stated.

Cumbo has represented the 35th Council District, which includes Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and parts of other Central Brooklyn neighborhoods, since 2013. She is running for her second term in office.

She has also been endorsed by Public Advocate Letitia James, who held the council seat before Cumbo, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Borough President Eric Adams.

But Cumbo is facing a challenge from Ede Fox in the Sept. 12 Democratic primary.

Fox has been endorsed by the Transportation Workers Union (TWU), the United Auto Workers Region 9A, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) and New York Communities for Change.

Fox is the former chief of staff to Councilmember Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush) and has also previously served on Mark-Viverito’s staff.

“I am humbled and honored to receive the endorsement of four organizations who take on the fight for worker’s rights and tenant’s rights and who fight for working and low-income families day in and day out, ” Fox said in a statement.

CBID President Benjamin Solotaire said the endorsement of Fox was an easy decision for his club members to make.

“Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats want a councilmember we can trust to represent the community’s interests and needs, and we know Ede Fox will be that councilwoman. We know her years of experience in city government and working for the community will make her an effective and hardworking councilmember,” Solotaire said.