Not that Lincoln. This one. Nobody has been a bigger thorn in Vito Lopez's side for the past two years than Lincoln. In fact, Lincoln has used this unpaid volunteer position to such great effect that Lopez went to the extraordinary step of cutting Lincoln out of the district (Lincoln moved back in) and then getting a crony to primary him. This race has turned into a proxy battle between Lopez's corrupt machine and Lincoln and the reform minded New Kings Democrats.
This small time race has gotten some big time press and prominent politicians have taken notice. Here is what Nydia Velasques has to say about Lincoln
Restler represents "what's right in local government. Lincoln is spearheading the effort to clean up the corruption in Brooklyn politics. His integrity is unimpeachable; his intellect is impeccable; and his results for our neighborhoods speak for themselves."
And
here is what Brooklyn Borough president Marty Markowitz has to say
Restler represents "a real Brooklyn character -- with a style all his own -- and as a District Leader has brought fresh ideas to issues ranging from mass transit and education reform to open space, affordable housing and securing a much-needed supermarket in Fort Greene. When it comes to his energy, passion, independence and love for Brooklyn he reminds me of another certain elected official who first ran for office more than thirty years ago."
Lincoln has even attracted the attention of Jerry Nadler, who calls him a
"breath of fresh air."
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer says
“Lincoln is a tireless advocate for his community with a record of delivering real results,”....“From fighting for more green space and better public schools, to expanding transportation options, Lincoln is a proven leader on the issues Brooklynites care about. Lincoln is the right choice for reform minded voters and I am proud to endorse his re-election.”
And, just to be different,
here is a quote from a random woman at a Lincoln event
"What I know about Brooklyn politics is that you either have to be extremely courageous or extremely corrupt," said a woman introducing him at a fundraiser this week at Bellwether, a Williamsburg restaurant. "[Mr. Restler] has redefined what a district leader is. There's no way that I would be as passionate about politics as I now am if it weren't for the influence of Lincoln."
This guy is the real deal. Lincoln led the charge to ensure the G train extension became permanent. He took the lead in attracting a new supermarket to a food desert in Fort Greene. He has also helped spearhead efforts to realize new green spaces on Commercial Street and Java Street in Greenpoint and on Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill. Lincoln a leader in the effort to clean up Brooklyn politics and build a new progressive Brooklyn Democratic Party. He is actively pursuing reforms to the judicial selection process and is striving to democratize the old Brooklyn Democratic machine. He deserves your support on
Thursday.
Here are some other pols who have endorsed Lincoln: state Sens. Daniel Squadron, Velmanette Montgomery, and Eric Adams, Assemblymembers Jim Brennan, Karim Camara, and Joan Millman, City Councilmembers Diana Reyna, Tish James, Jumaane Williams, and Brad Lander, State Committeemembers Jo Anne Simon and Chris Owens, public advocate Bill de Blasio, and Senate candidate Jason Otano.