Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Topics

Topics

A Familiar Contest in Bushwick


Incumbent Darryl Towns on the Democratic and Working Families lines faces Republican/Conservative Khorshed Chowdhury.

Towns was elected in 1992. During his tenure he has attempted to spur commercial revitalization in his district, which includes parts of Williamsburg, Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant. Towns, the son of longtime U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns, chairs the Committee on Banks.

Chowdhury, a native of Bangladesh, has unsuccessfully challenged Towns in 2002, 2004 and in 2006.

In 2006, Towns received 92 percent of the vote.

In the times leading up to the 32 Day Pre-General filing report, Towns had no campaign contributions. He ended the period with $13,642. Chowdhury reported "no activity."

 

GOP Hits Snags in the Silk Stocking District


Party Leader Runs Again

Assemblymember Jonathan Bing has represented the 73rd District since he was first elected in 2002. The former lawyer, who will appear on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines, is a prolific author of legislation, authoring 36 pieces of legislation since he was elected to the Assembly.

The seat had been held by a Republican, John Ravitz, for 12 years before Bing was elected, and this affluent East Side area, known as the "silk stocking district," had been a Republican stronghold for years.

Bing defeated his Republican challenger after Ravitz stepped down in 2002, and Republican strength in the area seems to have ebbed. This year, David Casavis, who formerly worked for other GOP candidates, represents the Republican cause. In an interview with the West Side Spirit, he held out little chance of a win.

"I'll at least restore a little dignity," Casavis said. "What I'd like to do is break 30 percent. Gosh if I could break 40 percent, that'd be a dream."

In his 32 Day Pre-General filing report, Bing reported raising $15,920 in the past months and having a balance at the end of September of $280,300. Casavis had raised $45 and ended the period with $345

 

Challenging the Party Chief


Republican Challenger Frances Cutrone faces a daunting task as the Republican takes on Democratic Assemblymember Vito Lopez, who also heads Brooklyn's Democratic party.

Information could not be found on Cutrone.

Lopez joined the Assembly in 1984. He chairs the Committee on Housing, where he rewrote the state's 421-a tax exemption program, which is supposed to spark the development of affordable apartments. Some say the bill favored the controversial development Atlantic Yards.

Lopez who took in $70.768 in the period covered by the 32 Day Pre-General filing report had almost $980,000 on hand. There was no filing information on Cutrone.

District 53 includes Bushwick and Williamsburg.

 



Print Friendly and PDF

Editor's Choice


Gotham Gazette: New York Voters Approve $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act
New York Voters Approve $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act
Gotham Gazette: 
New York City Voters Approve Racial Justice Ballot Measures
New York City Voters Approve Racial Justice Ballot Measures
Gotham Gazette: 
Housing Development in New York City Slows to a Crawl as Officials Debate Tax Incentives
Housing Development in New York City Slows to a Crawl as Officials Debate Tax Incentives
Gotham Gazette: 
City Council Examines Low Voter Turnout, Moving Local Elections to Even Years City Council Examines Low Voter Turnout, Moving Local Elections to Even Years