It’s power versus attorney.
Incumbent Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D–Brooklyn) is facing off in Tuesday’s Democratic primary with Dumbo attorney Jeff Kurzon, a political neophyte who has his work cut out for him. Kurzon has been spending the last few days before the primary pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, and delivering his spiel to whoever will listen. The upstart candidate is banking on a resurgence of Occupy-Wall-Street sentiment, saying that his opponent’s position on the House Financial Services Committee is proof of her allegiance to big banks.
“Washington has been bought by special interests, and people are feeling it,” Kurzon said. “I think this is an opportunity for the citizens of New York to send Washington a message that they work for us.”
For all his bluster, Kurzon does not have a chance in hell, a veteran Democratic strategist said.
“He’d be better off saving his money and buying two houses,” Hank Sheinkopf said. “He has no name ID, no money, and no arguments — but other than that he’s fine.”
The challenger’s problem is nothing personal; it is just that he is a challenger, the operative explained.
“When people think they can eject the incumbent, they’re delusional,” he said.
If Velazquez is worried, her campaign finances don’t show it — her operation has doled out a hefty chunk of its cash to other political organizations, according to our pals at the TimesLedger of Queens. The campaign gave away $230,550, of its reported $554,671, including $197,500 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the TimesLedger reported.
Kurzon might look for inspiration to another long-shot primary candidate who made national news two weeks ago. David Brat, a tea-party-backed challenger, stunned pols and commentators on June 11 when he unseated House majority leader Eric Cantor (R–Virginia) despite the fact that national media outlets largely ignored Brat and Cantor outspent the political novice by 40 to 1.
Voting in Brooklyn’s District 7 Democratic congressional primary will be open on Tuesday from 6 am to 9 pm. Locate your polling place by visiting nyc.pollsitelocator.com.
