Oddest election in the country. Public Advocate for New York City. Little power. Tiny budget. Job is what is says – advocate for the public. The perk – next in line to be mayor. Election is February 26. Filling a vacancy. Winner gets to be incumbent for the next election in November. Sixteen candidates. Non-partisan. Whoever gets the plurality wins. The final debate only included seven candidates – those who raised enough money and were endorsed by at least one political club:
Michael Blake State Assembly Member: Parents from Jamaica, Bronx, Northeastern University, was political operative in Michigan and Iowa and New York.
Rafael Espinal City Council Member: Parents from Dominican Republic, Brooklyn, Queens College, was City Council staffer
Ron Kim, State Assembly Member: Parents from Korea, Queens, Hamilton College, MPA Baruch, was Director of Government Affairs for two Democratic governors
Nomiki Konst Activist: Grew up in Tuscon and Buffalo, Mom an Erie County Legislator, attended U of Arizona, lived in 12 apartments in NYC since 2011, was founder of the Accountability Project
Melissa Mark-Viverito, Former City Council Speaker: Born in Puerto Rico, Manhattan, Columbia, MPA Baruch, led communal organizations
Dawn Smalls, Partner in major law firm: From South Carolina, Manhattan, BU and Stanford Law School, served in Clinton and Obama administrations, was on State Commission on Public Ethics
Jumaane Williams, Deputy Leader City Council: parents from Grenada, Brooklyn, Brooklyn College, MA in Urban Policy, ran for Lt. Governor
If you think it is impossible to affect politics in a city as large as New York, here is a bit to the contrary. Dawn Smalls had one club endorsement, East River Democrats to which I belong. A club endorsement was a requirement for being included in the final debate. I was one of two speakers at the Club to advocate for her endorsement. The Public Advocate will almost certainly be elected from one of the seven candidates above. She’s not a favorite, but if she wins, I will feel I played a part.