We thought the fresh faced kids handing out Diamondstone fliers and imploring us to "save Brooklyn Bridge Park" by the High Street subway station Tuesday night were quite adorable. And they got our attention and apparently that of the folks at Courier-Life. Citing a need to shake things up a bit for the Heights in Albany, they've endorsed Ken Diamondstone for State Senate against incumbent Martin Connor. Other endorsements include the New York Times.
Courier-Life: Send Diamondstone to State Senate: In the 25th State Senate District, longtime incumbent Martin Connor is finding quite a challenge in Brooklyn Heights community advocate Ken Diamondstone. While Connor, who has been in office since 1978, has established himself through his efforts to dismantle New York’s health care system, opposed cuts to important medical treatments and other human services and has made it one of his missions to keep education affordable in both New York City and New York State, he hasn’t been seen in Brooklyn Heights very much ever since the 25th was redistricted to include a broader swath of Manhattan. Enter Diamondstone: a realtor, former community board member and activist who has survived three legal attempts to get knocked off the ballot. The challenges come directly from Connor, an election lawyer by trade. While Connor should be credited for his accomplishments in the State Senate over the last two decades, we are disturbed by his lack of a Brooklyn legislative office, as well as his apparent lack of interest in changing policy.
According to the State Senate website, Connor sponsored just two pieces of legislation last year. One of them called for a property tax exemption for the Cobble Hill Playgroup – a group that we can only assume is a longtime supporter.That’s not to say that Diamondstone is an angel. As this paper was going to press, we had heard rumblings that the candidate was sending inaccurate attack literature against Connor.
Still, feeling that the 25th State Senate district needs some fresh blood, we give our endorsement to Ken Diamondstone.
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