With the primary set for tomorrow, Diana Johnson has picked up more backing in her bid to be a judge in Brooklyn Surrogate Court. In an editorial Friday, the Daily News raises the issue of whether Johnsons opponent, ShawnDya Simpson, really lives in New York State as the law requires. Although noting that Johnson is a product of the machine, the News says she has the required experience for the job.
Citizens Union, the good government group whose sister organization publishes Gotham Gazette, gave Johnson a similarly restrained preference. While the group felt both candidates were qualified to serve, [it] but was concerned with each candidates political ties to different elements of the Brooklyn party. On balance, the organization felt that Judge Johnsons greater experience as a jurist gave her the edge.
Also in its editorial, the News endorsed Karen Yellen in her race to be a Civil Court judge in Brooklyn. The News praises Yellen as an able judge who had to step down after she clashed with Brooklyn Democratic boss Clarence Norman, who is now in jail. Her opponent Noach Dear, on the other hand, has little, if any, legal experience.
The New York Times and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York seem to agree with the News on their relativelylow opinion of Dear. A longtime City Council member who, since being forced out by term limits has been a kind of perennial (and perennially unsuccessful candidate), Dear does have the backing of Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Vito Lopez and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. According to the Brooklyn Paper, Markowitz is so enamored of Dear that, he couldnt bring himself to mention Dears name preferring to call him this candidate. Despite all this, Dear is favored to win.
For more on tomorrows election including Dear’s ethical lapses and races you wont read about almost any place else go to Gotham Gazette.
By Gail Robinson on September 17, 2007, 5:21 pm
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