Race to Replace Developments

The special election to replace Carl Kruger is not yet official, and a date is yet to be set, but supporters are already lining up on both sides.

City and State (a merger of the former City Hall News and Capitol News) is reporting that Former Mayor Koch is endorsing Fidler, he announced, after Fidel met him to secure the endorsement. Koch is infuriated by the Senate Republicans’ decision to renege on their promise to support independent redistricting, but says that this have nothing to do with the decision to back Fidler.

Does Koch's support matter with Orthodox voters in a local race, especially when moral issues will probably be a hot item? We believe that it doesn't matter, and if anything, it's a liability.

Also, Koch is against the establishment of the “super Jewish district,” saying that it would undercut the premise of his pledge. “They’re saying they want to engage in gerrymandering to put all the Jews together, is what I think they’re saying,” Koch said to City and State. “That’s not what I’m about! I’m opposed to gerrymandering – putting all the same types of people in one district – as opposed to doing it on a rational basis of natural boundaries.” He added, “So if they think they’re going to buy me off by creating a gerrymandered district that happens to be Jewish, they’re making a big mistake.”

Meanwhile, sources tell PoliticlerNY that Guy Molinari, a former Congressman and Borough President in Staten Island, will co-chair Mr. David Storobin’s increasingly likely State Senate bid. Mr. Molinari remains quite active in New York Republican politics, and is also seen as the political tactician for Michael Grimm’s successful bid for Congress in 2010. Grimm won a district that includes a large Orthodox community, defeating an incumbent democrat.

Also, the NYPost last week criticized that party leader will select Kruger's successor.

In the meantime, a second race is already starting to replace Fidler, if he succeeds to replace Kruger. PolitickerNY reports that Mercedes Narcisse, with a base in Canarsie’s Caribbean community, could be one of the top contenders for the seat. She also has political ties to Senate Minority Leader John Sampson. Also in top contention for the seat is District Leader Frank Seddio, a former Brooklyn surrogate judge, who is a colorful character to say the least. No Republicans appear to be publicly running for the Council seat at this time.