Brooklyn is a fucked up place for Democrats. Seriously. And this is largely due to the insane, selfish and greedy machinations of the corrupt party leader Vito Lopez. People who know me know full well that I am a solid Democrat, but I am also solidly opposed to Vito Lopez's corruption as well as the corruption of the local Working Families Party, which sided with Vito Lopez last year in pretty much every election.
This year is different.
The most recent insanity that Vito Lopez's machinations have delivered to us is the candidacy of a horrible, anti-choice, anti-LGBT candidate for Assembly named Rafael Espinal. This guy is so awful that the Conservative and Republican Parties of New York wanted to endorse him. The only reason that the Republicans cannot endorse him is that he screwed up the paperwork, so can't be on the Republican line.
Opposed to this corrupt sleazebag are two candidates. First there is the useless candidate of the long-standing political Towns dynasty Deidra Towns. And then there is the REAL Democratic Candidate (though this time not on the Democratic Line), Jesus Gonzalez, who is running on the normally corrupt and sleazy Working Families Party line, but seems pretty kick ass. This time, for the first time in way too long, the Working Families Party seems to be right.
Jesus Gonzalez has received the endorsement of a wide range of Brooklyn activists, including Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (one of my favorites), Councilwoman Diana Reyna (who defeated the corrupt machine a couple of years ago!), Reform District Leader Lincoln Restler (a wondeful surprise win last year!), Reform District Leader Chris Owens ( a good friend of mine), and the New Kings Democrats. Jesus Gonzalez has also been endorsed by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, the New York/New Jersey Regional Joint Board, Workers United, the Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United, and the Communications Workers of America, Region 1.
Here are some videos from Jesus Gonzales' campaign: [UPDATE: found out that the videos are from Colin Cambpell of The Brooklyn Politics].
Though I am no longer a fan of the Working Families Party, since they compromised their values for cash, I agree with them solidly on this one. Vote for Jesus Gonzalez for Assembly! Help us defeat the local corrupt machine, the Conservative Party, and the Republicans!