Local officials speak out for Klein

Posted

To the editor:

We strongly support the reelection of Democratic State Senator Jeff Klein in the September 9 primary. We have supported both Jeff Klein and Oliver Koppell in past elections (Koppell in very many past elections). Why did we choose Klein this time?
First, it is our view that both candidates are progressive Democrats. Especially compared with other parts of the State and country, and some parts of the city, Jeff Klein and Oliver Koppell by their positions on issues over the years certainly deserve that identification.

The major thrust of the current Koppell campaign, however, is that Klein is not a “true” or “real” Democrat because of his Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) having worked in a bi-partisan fashion with Republicans in the State Senate.

However, Klein explains that he did so to pass many important progressive bills, and he has the evidence to support that claim (gun control, support for seniors and the middle class, the universal pre-K program, etc.) Further, if we followed Koppell’s definition, he himself would not be a “true” or “real” Democrat because he ignored the twice expressed will of the voters and led the charge to undo the two-term limit for himself, Mike Bloomberg and others.

And then he endorsed Republican candidate Mike Bloomberg, the single largest contributor to the State Senate Republicans, over the highly qualified Democratic City Comptroller for Mayor.

As you may know, this is no longer an issue, or shouldn’t be, because the IDC has committed to work with the “regular” Senate Democratic Conference, not the Republicans.

Our choice, therefore, between these candidates was based on who would better serve the interests of our constituents. We concluded that it was the incumbent, State Senator Jeff Klein. It was the same conclusion later drawn by Mayor Bill de Blasio, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., major labor unions, The NY League of Conservation Voters, Citizens Union and The Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club, the political club that Oliver Koppell, Jeff Klein, and we both belong to.

Jeff Klein, Jeff Dinowitz, Andrew Cohen, state Senate, Koppell, election
Page 1 / 2

Comments