Longtime Rep. Ed Towns’s decision to retire after nearly 30 years cleared the way for a Democratic showdown between Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D–Fort Greene) and Councilman Charles Barron (D–Canarsie). Both men are expected to do well on their home turfs, meaning the race could be decided by voters in several Southern Brooklyn neighborhoods that were added to the district this spring. For anyone playing catchup, here’s a quick primer on the candidates, and their thoughts on Walmart, which wants to open in East New York’s Gateway II shopping center.
Hakeem Jeffries
From: Crown Heights
High school and college: Midwood High School, SUNY Binghamton, Georgetown University and New York University.
Job before politics: Full-time attorney.
Biggest gripe about Congress: Partisan gridlock.
Top priorities for the district: Creating housing and jobs.
Position on Walmart coming to Brooklyn: “I’m not convinced that Walmart is appropriate for [the borough] at this time.”
Charles Barron
From: Manhattan
High school and college: GED and the City College of New York.
Job before politics: Owned a leadership training company.
Biggest gripe about Congress: “We bailed out crooks on Wall Street, yet we don’t have enough money for our children to go to college, or get health care and jobs.”
Top priorities for the district: Creating industrial and manufacturing jobs.
Position on Walmart coming to Brooklyn: Vocal opponent of Walmart setting up shop in the borough.
Reach reporter Daniel Bush at dbush@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-8310. Follow him at twitter.com/dan_bush.
