Brooklyn Political Roundup for May 2: Progressive Brooklyn democrats back Nixon over Cuomo

In Public Service, From The Political Staff Of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle

May 2, 2018 By Paula Katinas & John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Cynthia Nixon will shake up Albany if she wins the governor’s race, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats President Asher Novek said. Photo courtesy of Cynthia for New York

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Actress-activist Cynthia Nixon, who is quickly becoming a thorn in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s side as she challenges him in the Democratic primary, is gaining support at the grass-roots level of progressive politics in Brooklyn.

The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats organization endorsed the former “Sex and the City” star at a recent club meeting and vowed to “take on the establishment in this race.”

Here was the final vote count at the endorsement meeting: Nixon 32-Cuomo 8. Seven members voted to make no endorsement.

It’s time to shake up Albany, organization President Asher Novek said.

“We are tired of the empty rhetoric that has come out of Albany for far too long. We are tired of the empty promises never fulfilled. We are tired of the inside baseball being played keeping the voices of working people and disenfranchised people out of the conversation. Cynthia’s campaign is one we are excited to get to work on as the blue wave rolls through New York,” he said.

Nixon, whose campaign often boasts of her level of grassroots support around the state, said she was thrilled by the group’s support.

“I have seen firsthand the influence CBID has in the Brooklyn community and their ability to pull Democrats together to support a common cause. CBID is working towards a better, more progressive New York, and they continue to stand up to Gov. Cuomo’s destructive policies,” Nixon said. – PK

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Disability rights advocates back Barkan

The 504 Democratic Club, an organization that advocates for the civil rights of the disabled, is backing Ross Barkan in his race against fellow Democrat Andrew Gounardes in the state Senate seat covering Bay Ridge and several other Southwest Brooklyn neighborhoods.

“Very early in his campaign, Ross came out in support of accessibility. Since then, he has developed one of the strongest disability rights platforms we’ve seen,” 504 Democratic Club President Michael J. Schweinsburg said.

Barkan, a political journalist making his first run for public office, said he would fight for the disabled if elected. “I promise, when elected, I will fight to make our transportation system fully accessible, reform Access-A-Ride, and effectively meet the living and housing needs of people with disabilities. City and state government has failed them for too many years,” he said.

Barkan and Gounardes, who are running in the Sept. 13 primary for the chance to face incumbent Republican state Sen. Martin Golden in the general election on Nov. 6, are both touting endorsements they have received.

Gounardes, chief counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, has locked up endorsements from the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and the Brooklyn Young Democrats. – PK

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Free mammograms come to Bay Ridge

Women can undergo breast cancer screenings — for free — thanks to the American Italian Cancer Foundation, which has arranged with state Sen. Marty Golden for a Mobile Care Clinic to be parked outside Golden’s Bay Ridge office for a day.

The fully staffed mobile clinic will be outside Golden’s office at 7408 Fifth Ave. on Wednesday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to provide free mammograms and clinical breast examinations for women over the age of 40.

Women over the age of 40, who are New York City residents and have not had a mammogram in the past year, are eligible for the free screening. But appointments are necessary. Call 1-877-628-9090 to make an appointment.

“All women are at risk of breast cancer and research shows that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. I encourage all those who have not had a mammogram in more than a year to make an appointment and get checked,” Golden said. – PK

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Get free bike helmet from Yeger

If you are looking for a helmet to wear when you go bicycle riding, Councilmember Kalman Yeger is the guy to see.

Yeger (D-Borough Park-Midwood-Bensonhurst) will handing out free bike helmets at Gravesend Park, 18th Avenue and 56th Street, on Sunday, May 6, from noon to 3:30 p.m.

The helmets will be individually selected and customized to each recipient, Yeger said.

Yeger is working with the Department of Transportation and the Parks Department to arrange the giveaway.

“Anyone who shows up can get a bike helmet, but they need to show up in person,” Yeger cautioned. The helmets will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis.

The event is open to everyone, but children will need a parent or legal guardian to sign a consent form in order to participate. Call Yeger’s office at 718-853-2704 for information. – PK

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Kavanagh hosts upcoming community convention

State Sen. Brian Kavanagh will be hosting the annual 26th District Community Convention on Sunday, May 6, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Stuyvesant High School, located at 345 Chambers St.

The 26th Senate District covers the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, the Columbia Waterfront, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, Fulton Ferry, Greenpoint, the Navy Yard, Vinegar Hill and Williamsburgh. Kavanagh’s Manhattan district extends from Battery Park City through Chinatown, the Lower East Side and Tribeca.

Convention topics include gun violence prevention and defending tenants’ rights and affordability, among others.

RSVP at www.Kavanagh.NYSenate.gov or [email protected] JA

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Menchaca is Nixon’s first Democratic elected-official endorsement

City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca has thrown his hat into the gubernatorial ring by becoming one of the first pols to endorse Cynthia Nixon for governor. This is Nixon’s first endorsement by a Democratic elected official.

Menchaca (D-Sunset Park-Red Hook) announced his support for Nixon, who is challenging incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Sept. 13 primary, in a joint video presentation.

The former “Sex and the City” star is Cuomo’s most high-profile challenger thus far. In the video with Menchaca, Nixon voices her support for restoring access to driver’s licenses to all qualified New York drivers regardless of their immigration status.

“Since 2001, undocumented New Yorkers haven’t been able to get a driver’s license. They often have to drive without a license and put themselves at risk,” Nixon said.

“Fixing this was important before Donald Trump, but with him in office and his immigration agents using minor traffic violations to justify picking up immigrants, now it’s a crisis. New York must protect our immigrant families.”

Menchaca is New York’s first Mexican-American elected official.

“Cynthia stands with immigrants, people of color, and the working class across our state and will fight for respect and dignity for us all,” Menchaca said.

“The future of workers, students, tenants — all of us — depends on our ability to work together to open up our state’s democracy to all. Cynthia understands that deep in her bones; her commitment to inclusion and equality is unmatched in this race.” – JA