February 13, 2012 · www.gothamgazette.com

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What is Campaign 2005 ...

Campaign 2005

2005 is an election year in New York, which means that everything - from murders to budget negotiations to bus service - will be seen through the lens of the campaign.

Most of the people expected to challenge Mayor Michael Bloomberg have not officially announced that they are running for office, let alone laid out their own agendas, but some of the other issues - like education, taxes, a new Jets stadium, and the mayor's support for President Bush in the last election - are already beginning to emerge.

In addition to the mayor's race, there will be elections for public advocate, city comptroller, borough presidents, and the 51 City Council members who represent neighborhoods across the city.

Mayoral Race

Mayor Bloomberg may face a Republican challenger: a 30-year old investment banker named Steve Shaw.

On the Democratic side there are at least five potential candidates, who are already beginning to question his record.

The Web site of former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer declares that "New York is heading in the wrong direction" when it comes to middle-class issues like education, housing costs, jobs, and healthcare.

City Council Speaker Gifford Miller - who has not yet officially declared that he is running, but has amassed a large campaign chest for an "undeclared" race in 2005 - is criticizing the mayor's single-minded focus on building a West Side Stadium and attracting the 2012 Olympics.

"When you look at the priorities he has put forward� you have to ask the question: Is that it?" Miller said. "I believe there are more important issues facing the city."

U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner has not officially joined the race, but many of his recent press releases place blame for the city's problems, not only on the Bush administration that he deals with in Washington D.C., but also on Mayor Bloomberg for his support for Republicans during the last election.

"Mayor Bloomberg supported George Bush and New Yorkers will remember it," Weiner said.

City Councilmember Charles Barron says he will be running on what he calls "a People's Platform" that calls for community-based policing programs, free tuition at the City University of New York, and reparations for slavery used to improve struggling African-American neighborhoods.

C. Virginia Fields, who also has not officially declared her intentions to run, has been the quietest of the expected challengers, primarily focusing on her experience as Manhattan borough president.

City Comptroller and Public Advocate

The other two citywide races in 2005 are for city comptroller and public advocate.

City Comptroller Bill Thompson, who oversees the city's finances, has said he will run for reelection.

The current Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, who serves as an "ombudsman" for city residents who are having trouble getting services, have complaints, or need help from city agencies, will also run for reelection. Civil rights attorney Norman Siegal, who ran in 2001, will run as well.

Borough Presidents

All five borough presidents must run for reelection in 2005, but one seat - Manhattan borough president - is open because of term-limits. Carlos Manzano, a state Democratic committeeman, has already declared himself a candidate. And the three Manhattan City Council members who are term-limited out of office - Margarita Lopez, Phil Reed, and Bill Perkins - may also consider running.

The other borough presidents - Brooklyn's Marty Markowitz, Bronx's Adolfo Carrion, Queen's Helen Marshall, and Staten Island's James Molinaro - will all run for reelection.

City Council

All 51 member of the New York City Council must run for reelection in 2005. In 2001 term-limits ousted two-thirds of the City Council members, but this year the change will not be as dramatic. There will only be six open seats where term-limits will force the incumbent from office.

The six open seats are: District 2 in Lower East Side currently held by Margarita Lopez. District 5 on the Upper East Side currently held by Gifford Miller. District 8 in East Harlem currently held by Philip Reed. District 9 in Harlem currently held by Bill Perkins. District 13 in Pelham Bay, Bronx currently held by Madeline Provenzano. District 41 in Brownsville, Brooklyn currently held by Tracy Boyland.

Click here, to see a full list of who is term-limited out of office in 2005.

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