Park Slope City council hopeful Bob Zuckerman secured the support of the Lambda Independent Democrats, the borough’s leading LGBT political club, last week in an election where candidates aren’t taking anything for granted.
The club announced its decision following a candidates’ debate Thursday, June 4, at Camp Friendship, 339 Eighth Avenue.
While the endorsement for Zuckerman, a Lambda member and the only LGBT candidate in the five−person race to replace Bill de Blasio in the 39th Councilmanic District, was almost assured, every candidate in the race reportedly showed up vying for the group’s support −− including John Heyer, a conservative Democrat who is pro−life and favors civil unions to gay marriage.
The Lambda Independent Democrats are currently at the forefront for the fight to legalize gay marriage in New York.
“I feel that anytime someone invites you to a fair setting to hear your ideas, it’s your obligation to show up,” Heyer explained.
Other candidates vying for the 39th Councilmanic District include Brad Lander, Gary Reilly and Josh Skaller.
Besides endorsing Zuckerman, which will be a boon to the former Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation as he and his supporters begin to collect signatures, the Lambda Independent Democrats endorsed incumbent Letitia James for the 35th Councilmanic District in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill and John Liu for Comptroller.
Lambda members had to call for another vote for the citywide post endorsement when no one could choose between Liu and Brooklyn Heights City Councilmember David Yassky at an earlier meeting.
Voters snubbed longtime Lambda member Ken Diamondstone in his bid for the 33rd Councilmanic District in Brooklyn Heights and Williamsburg, instead voting to endorse opponent JoAnne Simon for the post.
