City Councilman Brad Lander is weighing his options and considering a run to replace Marty Markowitz as Brooklyn Borough President in 2013, according to multiple sources. Reached by phone this morning, Mr. Lander did not deny his interest but said it was “very flattering” to have his name be in the mix.
Currently, only State Senator Eric Adams has openly declared his intentions to run for the seat, although a few others, like Assemblyman Nick Perry and State Senator Kevin Parker, have let their names be dropped as potential contenders as well. However, as The Politicker contended last Friday, this leaves electoral oxygen for another candidate to leap into the race.
“It is true, I am very passionate about land use and zoning policies,” Mr. Lander said in response to a roundabout question about why he might be interested in Mr. Markowitz’s job. However, he declined to say more than this, simply adding, “It’s very flattering.”
If he pulls the trigger on his campaign, Mr. Lander wouldn’t be the first person in his Park Slope-based City Council district to seek higher office. The official who held the seat previously, Bill de Blasio, was elected to the citywide position of Public Advocate in 2009. Mr. Lander has since carved out a fairly progressive political brand and might be able to form a formidable electoral coalition in Brooklyn.
Of course, with nobody else actually in the race, Mr. Adams remains the front runner for the job.
