As always a fantastically researched piece. Interesting look at the campaigns that shaped him - I'd be interested to learn more about what has shaped his time in the Assembly, legislatively speaking. I personally find his record there to be fairly sparse (but happy to hear other opinions) and filled with policy for ideological sake rather than actually impactful, smart public policy. I say this as someone who definitely comes down on the more progressive side of things.
Also, a minor quibble: I would contest the idea that his "drive" has made him "one of the strongest fundraisers in the legislature." Rather, it's his very wealthy and very well-connected parents.
“Father K,” the man whose campaign Mamdani felt he would on forever, told the first South Asian member of the State Legislature…
fyi this isn’t correct - kevin thomas from ny-6 was the first and elected in 2018. rajkumar was also elected in 2021 fwiw. (there’s probably an interesting article out there about the differences btwn the three)
This is quite a love letter. I'm surprised you didn't add that he smells like roses and babies smile when they hear his name. But we all know this far left extremist is going nowhere in the mayoral race.
1) I was a bit shocked by the reference to the Ridge as a neighborhood where the churches were once only Catholic, considering that the neighborhood had once been full of Scandinavians. Further, the article makes it seems that the Arab community and Arab-American political involvement is relatively new, when in fact the Arab community has been such a force in the Ridge that the leading Republican club is named for a former Arab District Leader, Edmund Seergy, a power who nearly became the GOP County Leader during the 1970s. Another member of the Bay Ridge Arab community who's been around nearly forever wielding considerable political power is Conservative Party State Chair Gerry Kasser.
2) Assemblywoman Simotas was not originally nominated by the County Committee; she was elected to an open seat when the incumbent chose to run for an open seat in the State Senate.
1) I was a bit shocked by the reference to the Ridge as a neighborhood where the churches were once only Catholic, considering that the neighborhood had once been full of Scandinavians. Further, the article makes it seems that the Arab community and Arab-American political involvement is relatively new, when in fact the Arab community has been such a force in the Ridge that the leading Republican club is named for a former Arab District Leader, Edmund Seergy, a power who nearly became the GOP County Leader during the 1970s. Another member of the Bay Ridge Arab community who's been around nearly forever wielding considerable political power is Conservative Party State Chair Gerry Kasser.
2) Assemblywoman Simotas was not originally nominated by the County Committee; she was elected to an open seat when the incumbent chose to run for an open seat in the State Senate.
As always a fantastically researched piece. Interesting look at the campaigns that shaped him - I'd be interested to learn more about what has shaped his time in the Assembly, legislatively speaking. I personally find his record there to be fairly sparse (but happy to hear other opinions) and filled with policy for ideological sake rather than actually impactful, smart public policy. I say this as someone who definitely comes down on the more progressive side of things.
Also, a minor quibble: I would contest the idea that his "drive" has made him "one of the strongest fundraisers in the legislature." Rather, it's his very wealthy and very well-connected parents.
Wonderful piece
Always interested in your research and analyses of the NY races! Thanks for this.
“Father K,” the man whose campaign Mamdani felt he would on forever, told the first South Asian member of the State Legislature…
fyi this isn’t correct - kevin thomas from ny-6 was the first and elected in 2018. rajkumar was also elected in 2021 fwiw. (there’s probably an interesting article out there about the differences btwn the three)
This is quite a love letter. I'm surprised you didn't add that he smells like roses and babies smile when they hear his name. But we all know this far left extremist is going nowhere in the mayoral race.
1) I was a bit shocked by the reference to the Ridge as a neighborhood where the churches were once only Catholic, considering that the neighborhood had once been full of Scandinavians. Further, the article makes it seems that the Arab community and Arab-American political involvement is relatively new, when in fact the Arab community has been such a force in the Ridge that the leading Republican club is named for a former Arab District Leader, Edmund Seergy, a power who nearly became the GOP County Leader during the 1970s. Another member of the Bay Ridge Arab community who's been around nearly forever wielding considerable political power is Conservative Party State Chair Gerry Kasser.
2) Assemblywoman Simotas was not originally nominated by the County Committee; she was elected to an open seat when the incumbent chose to run for an open seat in the State Senate.
1) I was a bit shocked by the reference to the Ridge as a neighborhood where the churches were once only Catholic, considering that the neighborhood had once been full of Scandinavians. Further, the article makes it seems that the Arab community and Arab-American political involvement is relatively new, when in fact the Arab community has been such a force in the Ridge that the leading Republican club is named for a former Arab District Leader, Edmund Seergy, a power who nearly became the GOP County Leader during the 1970s. Another member of the Bay Ridge Arab community who's been around nearly forever wielding considerable political power is Conservative Party State Chair Gerry Kasser.
2) Assemblywoman Simotas was not originally nominated by the County Committee; she was elected to an open seat when the incumbent chose to run for an open seat in the State Senate.