On Saturday, August 15 the BK got a boost from the BX. Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. endorsed Public Advocate candidate Bill de Blasio, a Brooklyn councilman. The two pols met a Soundview street fair to promote de Blasio’s platform: a reformed Civilian Complaint Review Board.
The Bronx is a Public Advocate wild card; Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan each boast a candidate, and the Boogiedown none. Civil liberties lawyer Norman Siegel is a Manhattanite, as is former Public Advocate Mark Green. Woodside Councilman Eric Gioia was born and raised in Queens. De Blasio hails from Park Slope.
Gioia is the top fundraiser according to campaign reports submitted on Friday, August 14. He had amassed more than $2.3 million in private funds and $1.4 million in public funds. De Blasio checked in at $1.4 million and $1.3 million.
In other news, former Borough President Freddy Ferrer endorsed 14th Council District incumbent Maria Baez on Monday, August 17 at City Hall. Ferrer has also endorsed de Blasio.
