Last night Councilwoman Letitia James beat her opponent, State Senator Daniel Squadron, 60% to 40%, to become New York City's next Public Advocate (she will be running unopposed in next month's general election).
This is a victory for progressives and for grass-roots campaigners everywhere. Despite being outspent more than 2 to 1, and being assaulted with nasty negative campaigning and anonymous smear jobs during the last week of the campaign, her obviously superior qualifications for the office won the day. With the likelihood that she'll be working with the present Public Advocate, who has stood with her on many issues, I look to see her restoring the office to a much higher profile and greater effectiveness than it has had for the past ten years.
Thanks to all the Kossacks who turned out to vote for her, and helped spread the word!
PS - before this campaign started, I considered her opponent a decent guy who wasn't as well-suited to the job as Tish is. But he showed his true colors. I'm sure he had internal polls showing him losing badly, and he made the decision to go ugly, and lose even more badly. After his behavior this past week, I wouldn't vote for him for dog catcher.