Ken Diamondstone, who recently announced that he would not launch a second attempt to unseat State Senator Marty Connor, will be vying for David Yassky’s seat in the New York City Council representing the 33rd District. Diamondstone says he will “make history” being Brooklyn’s only openly gay representative in “any legislative body in New York State.” Term-limited Yassky is running for NYC Comptroller.
And now the full press release:
Progressive advocate and affordable housing creator Ken Diamondstone announced today that he will run for the open City Council seat in Brooklyn’s 33rd Council District as a Democrat.
“I’m launching this campaign for City Council because the hard-working people and families of Brooklyn can’t wait any longer for good government,” said Diamondstone (candidate biography attached). “Now is the time to take back Brooklyn. I’m going to fight for the bold progressive reform we need to protect our neighborhoods and help them flourish.”
Diamondstone earned his reputation as a passionate and effective neighborhood leader by consistently taking courageous stands over the course of his 38 years living in the 33rd district. He was one of the earliest and fiercest critics of the process and scale of Forest City Ratner’s Atlantic Yards Project, and outspoken in his opposition to housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Diamondstone has also served at the forefront of many of Brooklyn’s most important citizen empowerment organizations, including Community Board 2, Brooklyn for Peace, the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty, and the Brooklyn Solid Waste Advisory Board, which he chairs.
As a candidate for City Council, Diamondstone now aims to make history by becoming Brooklyn’s first openly gay representative to any legislative body in New York State. “To solve the big problems we have before us – inequality, soaring costs of living, an environment in crisis, and painful shortages in affordable housing, transportation, and education – we need a new kind of leader. We need a transformative leader, a leader who is not afraid of putting an end to politics as usual, and a leader who will take the power out of the hands of the few and return it to all our citizens. I will be that leader.”
Diamondstone, whose strong campaign for State Senate in 2006 won him The New York Times’ endorsement, is drawing upon his solid base and deep grassroots support through the community to get a quick start in the Council race. He already has his first fundraiser set for next weekend in Boerum Hill with former Congressman Major Owens, who has pledged his support for Diamondstone’s candidacy, serving as honorary host of the event.
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