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It’s been said that political victory has 100 fathers — in this case it’s 120.
That’s how many votes separated Lincoln Restler from vanquished party-backed candidate Warren Cohn in last month’s hard-fought state committee election to become Williamsburg’s Democratic district leader.
On Wednesday night, the insurgent Restler finally celebrated the victory at Teddy’s in Williamsburg with a packed crowd of friends and family — including Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D–Williamsburg), Councilwoman Letitia James (D–Fort Greene), and fellow district leaders Jo Anne Simon and Chris Owens.
Restler thanked his parents, campaign manager Sarah Baker, and field director Chris McGreight for their dogged work canvassing the neighborhood for every last vote before urging those in the room to continue mobilizing work for progressive candidates and causes.
Restler’s victory, though for the lowest-ranking of all political offices, was significant because he beat the establishment candidate Cohn, who was backed by Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Vito Lopez.
“You’re the reason we won the fightin’ 50th,” Restler told his supporters, “and I am humbled and honored to be your voice on the Brooklyn Democratic State Committee. Together we are going to transform our local politics and we won’t back down until we achieve transparency, accountability, and equality.”
Velazquez seemed to be having the best time of all at the party. But that makes sense — she’s a longtime rival to Lopez, who is also a state Assemblyman.
©2010 Community Newspaper Group
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