Challengers Emerge for Indicted Assemblyman William Boyland

Brooklyn Assemblyman William Boyland, thrice indicted, may be fending off at least two challengers if he seeks re-election this year. 

William Boyland (Photo: Facebook)
William Boyland (Photo: Facebook)

Brooklyn Assemblyman William Boyland, thrice indicted, may be fending off at least two challengers if he seeks re-election this year. 

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One candidate, Lori Boozer, a community activist, told Politicker today she will take on Mr. Boyland in the Democratic primary. She joins a field that may also include ineisha williford, a staffer to Brooklyn Councilwoman Darlene Mealy, who has filed to run for the seat but did not return a request for comment.

“Our community needs good jobs, better schools, quality housing and safer streets, but what we’ve got instead is a legacy of under-service and neglect,” Ms. Boozer said in a statement. “It’s time to rise up.”

Ms. Boozer, active in the Brownsville neighborhood that the district primarily encompasses, has already retained Red Horse Strategies, a prominent consulting firm, to aid her bid against Mr. Boyland. An adviser with Housing Court Answers, an advocacy group that helps people navigate the city’s housing legal system, Ms. Boozer also serves on the boards of several Brownsville nonprofits. 

Despite Mr. Boyland’s many legal troubles–he has been indicted for soliciting bribes to pay his legal bills for an unrelated corruption charge and was also charged with mail fraud–Ms. Boozer and Ms. Williford could still face an uphill battle. Mr. Boyland hails from a local political dynasty and enjoys superior name recognition in the district. Two years ago, while under indictment, Mr. Boyland fended off six challengers to easily win re-election. Neither Ms. Boozer nor Ms. Williford ran in that race. 

Mr. Boyland pleaded not guilty in September and will be tried next month. He did not immediately return a request for comment. 

The story has been updated to reflect that Ms. Boozer is an adviser with Housing Court Answers, not an attorney. 

Challengers Emerge for Indicted Assemblyman William Boyland