Who Can Fill Tish's Shoes? Battle for Brooklyn: The Next Chapter

The 35th has long been a battleground for developers. For years Councilwoman Tish James stood up against the Atlantic Yards project by herself. She withstood withering criticism, was reviled, and many assumed that she wouldn't last but she did - and even thrived! All of that proved what a fierce fighter she is for her home and community.

Unfortunately, the 35th district is still under threat and we still need a fierce fighter who can stand alone if she has to. A fighter who can take withering criticism and keep going, keep fighting for our home and community.

The real estate lobby and big developers have entered into the 35th in a profound way we have never seen before under the insidiously named "Jobs for New York." Our last battle was fighting for transparency with Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards, and this is the next. The real estate lobby has now spent $150,000 to elect their handpicked candidate, Laurie Cumbo. This community spent 10 years fighting for responsible development, affordable housing, living wage jobs. Will this be Tish's legacy, our legacy, developers and the real estate lobby representing the 35th Council District? 

We don't need a council member who speaks for the real estate lobby: Their voice is loud enough. We need someone who can handle tough fights and face issues head on. Someone who can say no to big money when it threatens the health of this community. We need someone with a real plan to address the most pressing issues that face this community, someone who has more than just buzzwords, but a track record on these issues.