A blast from the past could be throwing his hat in the ring in the 44th District City Council special election.
Former State Senator Seymour Lachman said last week that he is strongly considering the run.
The district includes Bensonhurst, Midwood, Borough Park and a small section of Windsor Terrace.
“I am seriously considering running and will probably make my final decision by next week,” said Lachman, 76, who currently teaches political science at Wagner College in Staten Island, and whose book, “Three Men in a Room,” about the political failings of the New York State legislature has been lauded.
Lachman said despite his age he has many youthful ideas about government reform that would be an asset in the City Council.
“I feel very strongly feel strongly about issues such as transparency and having term limits,” he said.
Lachman also has a good knowledge about education as from 1969 to 1974, he was a member and later the youngest president of the New York City Board of Education.
Lachman also enjoys the strong support of Assemblymember William Colton, whose district includes part of the Council district.
“I will wholeheartedly and enthusiastically support Senator Lachman should he decide to seek this Council seat,” said Colton.
“His record of achievement and transparency in our community speaks for itself and Senator Lachman will no doubt be a heavyweight contender in the race should he run,” Colton added.
While Colton makes up his mind, two other candidates – David Greenfield and Joe Lazar – both say they are in the race to stay.
Greenfield, the former Chief of staff for Assemblymember Dov Hikind, enjoys a strong base in Midwood and Bensonhurst, but political observers feel his support in Borough Park is problematic.
“David Greenfield is very articulate, passionate and sincere. His greatest liability is he’s too arrogant and doesn’t understand how to bring people together,” said one Borough Park source.
Greenfield dismissed notions of being arrogant.
“I’m running for one simple reason and that is to make New York more affordable to residents in this community. This will resonate in Borough Park as well as the rest of the community,” he said.
Lazar pointed to his years of working under former mayors Abe Beame and Ed Koch as well as for the state.
“I think it will be a clean campaign where I’ll run on my accomplishments and I have 40 years of government service to put up front,” said Lazar.
