Comptroller Scott Stringer will cite the upcoming fight in Albany over New York City’s rent laws when he endorses Working Families Party candidate Diana Richardson in the special election to replace former Brooklyn Assemblyman Karim Camara on the steps of City Hall today.
Alluding to his own office’s recent finding last year that the city had hemorrhaged 400,000 apartments renting for $1,000 or less since 2005, Mr. Stringer will warn of the anticipated face-off between liberal New York City Democrats and more conservative upstate and Long Island Republicans when the legislature reviews the city’s rent regulations this year.
“I’m endorsing Diana Richardson because working families need a champion like her in Albany,” Mr. Stringer said in a statement sent to the Observer. “I know that Diana will fight to strengthen rent laws, close loopholes, protect tenants, and preserve affordable housing.”
Due to a strange series of paperwork snafus, the Democratic line will be vacant in the race to replace Mr. Camara, who stepped down from his seat earlier this year to take a job in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration. Ms. Richardson is one of three Democrats running on third party lines for the seat, which covers Crown Heights and Flatbush.
Democratic female District Leader Shirley Patterson is running on the Independence Party line, while male Democratic District Leader Geoffrey Davis—brother of the late Councilman James Davis—is running on his own “Love Yourself” party line. Republican Menachem Raitport is also seeking the seat as the GOP and Conservative Party candidate.
Ms. Richardson told the Observer that Mr. Stringer, a former Manhattan assemblyman, would be her role model as a legislator.
“I’m particularly proud to accept the endorsement of a man who, as an Assembly member, voted against every law that would weaken rent stabilization,” she said. “I’m pledging to do the same, so working families like mine won’t be pushed out of our neighborhoods by skyrocketing rents.”
The special election is set for May 5.
