City Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge City Council candidate mourns mother’s death on eve of primary

September 11, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Kevin Peter Carroll says he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy he has received since the death of his mother Dorothy Carroll. Photo courtesy of Carroll campaign
Kevin Peter Carroll says he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy he has received since the death of his mother Dorothy Carroll. Photo courtesy of Carroll campaign
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The closing hours of the fierce primary campaign for Bay Ridge’s City Council seat brought a softening in tone following the death of a Democratic candidate’s mother.

Candidate Kevin Peter Carroll announced that his mother Dorothy Carroll died on Sept. 8 at the age of 71. His announcement was met with heartfelt expressions of sympathy from voters and from his Democratic opponents in the primary contest in the 43rd Council District.

Carroll, who said his mother died following complications from a routine medical procedure, added that he was deeply touched by the outpouring of sympathy he has received in the days following his personal tragedy.

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“I am beyond grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, supporters and members of the community,” he wrote in an email to the community.

Fellow Democratic candidate Justin Brannan wrote a message on Twitter expressing his condolences. “Condolences to @KevinPeter86 during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May your mother rest in peace,” he tweeted.

Another Democratic candidate, the Rev. Khader El-Yateem, also tweeted his sympathy for Carroll. “My entire team’s condolences are with @KevinPeter86 for the loss of his wonderful mother this morning. Our prayers are with you Kevin Peter,” he wrote on Sept. 8.

The death of his mother, coming four days before the hotly contested primary on Sept. 12, is causing Carroll to reassess. “I am still fully committed to winning the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, but will be taking a less active role on the campaign trail in the days to come. I ask for your thoughts and prayers for me and my family during this difficult time,” he wrote in his email.

A memorial service for Dorothy Carroll will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Joseph P. Clavin Sons at 7722 Fourth Ave. In lieu of flowers, the Carroll family is requesting that donations be made to the Bay Ridge Center Food Pantry.

The primary in the 43rd Council District is one of the most closely watched in the city due to the fact that the candidates are vying for an open seat. The district has been represented by Democrat Vincent Gentile since 2003, but Gentile is subject to New York City’s term limits law and cannot run for re-election. He is running in the Democratic primary for Brooklyn district attorney. 

Democrats Brannan, former chief of staff to current Councilmember Vincent Gentile; Carroll, an aide to Councilmember Stephen Levin (D-North Brooklyn); Vincent Chirico, a lawyer; El-Yateem, pastor of Salam Arabic Lutheran Church; and Nancy Tong, an aide to Assemblymember William Colton (D-Gravesend-parts of Bensonhurst) are running in the Democratic primary. 

There is also a Republican primary for the Council seat. The candidates are Bob Capano, a supermarket manager and adjunct college professor; Liam McCabe, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan; John Quaglione, deputy chief of staff to state Sen. Marty Golden; and Lucretia Regina-Potter, Republican district leader of the 46th Assembly District. 

The winners of the two primaries will face each other in the general election on Nov. 7. 

The 43rd Council District covers the Southwest Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights and includes parts of other communities like Bensonhurst and Bath Beach.

 


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