Category Archives: 2019 Public Advocate’s Race

Photo Gallery: After Leading Contenders TV Debate



NY1 broadcast the second and final televised public advocate candidate debate, held at Borough of Manhattan Community College.  The “leading contenders” debate featured seven candidates selected pursuant to NYC Campaign Finance Board criteria, Nomiki Konst, Michael Blake, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Dawn Smalls, Rafael Espinal, Jumaane Williams and Ron Kim.  Press photography of the debate was limited to only pool coverage, but full press access was allowed in the post-debate spin room.

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Photo Gallery: Frederick Samuel Forum



Harlem’s Frederick Samuel Democratic Club drew four candidates to a Harlem public advocate candidate forum co-sponsored by the Michelle Obama Community Democratic Club.  Danny O’Donnell, Dawn Smalls, Jumaane Williams and Michael Blake spoke separately, with Manhattan Democratic Chairman Keith Wright moderating.  The Frederick Samuel Club and Wright previously endorsed O’Donnell.

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Photo Gallery: Co-op City Candidate Forum



The Co-op City Working Families Party hosted a public advocate candidate forum, drawing nine candidates.  Dawn Smalls, Eric Ulrich and Manny Alicandro participated in the first panel discussion (which I did not attend), Ron Kim, Ben Yee, David Eisenbach, Rafael Espinal and Jumaane Williams participated in a second panel and Michael Blake was interviewed solo by moderator Ray Raimunidi.

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Photo Gallery: Bath Beach Candidate Forum



The United Progressive Democratic Club, led by Assembly Member William Colton, hosted a public advocate candidate forum at its Bath Beach headquarters.  Candidates participating included Jared Rich, Ben Yee, David Eisenbach, Rafael Espinal and Jumaane Williams.

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Photo Gallery: LIC Candidate Forum



Five local civic groups, Hearts Across Queens, Hunters Point Civic Association, Long Island City Coalition, PrimedOutNYC and Sunnyside Woodside Action Group, hosted a public advocate candidate forum at the Irish Center in Long Island City.  Candidates participating included Ben Yee, Danny O’Donnell, David Eisenbach, Dawn Smalls, Jumaane Williams, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Michael Blake, Nomiki Konst, Rafael Espinal and Ron Kim.  Ify Ike, previously a candidate but unsuccessful in getting on the February 26th ballot, also participated.  Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, who previously endorsed Jumaane Williams, was the only non-candidate elected official to attend.

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Photo Gallery: Ulrich On Staten Island



Eric Ulrich’s campaign for public advocate has Staten Island as as essential, and central, part of his potential path to victory.  A recent visit included a live-streamed appearance with a homeowner in Prince’s Bay and campaigning at a Shop-rite in Charleston.  He was joined by Council Member Joe Borelli and Assembly Member Mike Reilly in Prince’s Bay and by Reilly in Charleston.

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Photo Gallery: Candidate Debate & Protest



The first televised debate among public advocate candidates featured 10 contestants in an Errol Louis-moderated slugfest and a protest by one of the six candidates excluded from the debate.  The debate was hosted and televised by NY1.

Continue reading Photo Gallery: Candidate Debate & Protest

Photo Gallery: Medgar Evers PA Candidate Forum



Nine candidates attended a public advocate forum at Medgar Evers College sponsored by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Arena Summit and the Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter of Delta Rho Omega. Candidates included Dawn Smalls, Ben Yee, Jared Rich, Tony Herbert, Michael Blake, Ydanis Rodriguez, Rafael Espinal, Eric Ulrich and Jumaane Williams.

One of the three candidate panels was the complete set of current City Council members running for public advocate: Eric Ulrich, Rafael Espinal, Ydanis Rodriguez and Jumaane Williams.

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Photo Gallery: VIDA PA Candidate Forum



The Vanguard Independent Democratic Association drew eight public advocate candidates to a forum at Boys & Girls High School in Bed-Stuy.  Participating candidates included Ben Yee, Nomiki Konst, Dawn Smalls, Michael Blake, Jared Rich, Tony Herbert, Rafael Espinal and Jumaane Williams.  The forum was moderated by Esmeralda Simmons and Brian Vines.

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Photo Gallery: Astoria PA Forum



The Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Club and the Taminent Regular Democratic Club co-hosted a public advocate candidate forum that drew ten candidates to Astoria on a bitterly cold night.  Candidates attending included Ron Kim, Danny O’Donnell, Dawn Smalls, Jumaane Williams, Jared Rich, Ydanis Rodriguez, Michael Blake, David Eisenbach, Nomiki Konst and Rafael Espinal.

Neither club endorsed a candidate at the forum and it’s my understanding that neither club intends to endorse in the race.  Of the elected officials attending the forum, Council Member Costa Constantinides has endorsed Nomiki Konst and NYS Senator Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member Aravella Simotas each said that they have not endorsed in the race and are uncertain whether they’ll do so.

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