It’s official: Democratic District Leader Frank Seddio will run for Council — if Councilman Lew Fidler (D–Marine Park) gives up his seat, that is.
“If Lew is successful, it’s my intention to run for City Council,” Seddio, a former Assemblyman and Surrogate Court judge told members of the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club last Thursday night, claiming that he would improve snow removal times, plug potholes and take on larger projects — such as completing the restoration of Plumb Beach and construction of the Marine Park Senior Center — across the district, which runs from Canarsie to Sheepshead Bay.
Two other Democrats — Canarsie civic leader Mercedes Narcisse and newspaper publisher Ivrol Hines have already announced that they would run to replace Fidler, who hasn’t given up the post, but is focused on winning a March 20 special election to replace disgraced former state Sen. Carl Kruger.
The 65-year-old political power broker bragged about his experience and close relationships with elected officials such as mayoral hopeful and Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D–Manhattan) at the meeting in an effort to paint his potential rivals as political rookies.
“I’ll be able to start from day one,” said Seddio, an attorney known for putting on lavish Christmas lighting displays on Flatlands Avenue. “I don’t have to learn something, not because I’m so smart, but because after enough years of experience I know what to do.”
Seddio would have higher name recognition than his potential rivals: Narcisse ran for the seat in 2009, but backed down when Fidler sought re-election after term limits were extended. Hines has no political pedigree to speak of.
Hines told Politicker NY that he’ll throw his hat in the ring once the seat becomes vacant, but Narcisse, a mother of five, announced her bid in January to gain a jump start on Seddio, who is expected to be the front-runner the moment he enters the race.
“I wanted to start early [because] I have to be prepared,” Narcisse said.
Seddio has been eyeing the seat since Fidler announced his bid to replace Kruger (D–Brighton Beach), who resigned in December after pleading guilty to accepting $1 million bribes from deep-pocketed lobbyists and developers.
Republican leaders vowed to spend up to $500,000 to beat Fidler — who is a heavy favorite in his race against Storobin — and to help turn Southern Brooklyn red. But, last week, the GOP proposed new legislative maps that would erase Kruger’s old stomping grounds altogether.
Reach reporter Daniel Bush at dbush@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-8310. Follow him at twitter.com/dan_bush.
