NORTH BROOKLYN — Two incumbent city councilmen who represent Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Bushwick will defend their titles in primary and general elections this fall, as they ward off challenges from a political novice and a local assistant principal.
District 34: Parts of Williamsburg, Bushwick, Ridgewood
In the Democratic primary Tuesday, incumbent Councilman Antonio Reynoso, who represents parts of Williamsburg and Bushwick, will face Tommy Torres, an assistant principal at the Grand Street Campus high school facility.
Torres has the endorsements of the United Federation of Teachers and Council of School Supervisors and Administrators and has racked up $77,487 in donations, many from teachers and Department of Education employees, records show.
Reynoso has pushed to decrease the amount of trash processed in his district and has promoted affordable housing construction. He has garnered $123,806 in donations, and has the support of parent groups like Williamsburg and Greenpoint Parents for Our Public Schools.
"The office hasn't changed him. He’s trustworthy and reliable, forthcoming," said Brooke Parker, 47, a founding member of Kids PAC and a member of Williamsburg and Greenpoint Parents for Our Public Schools.
Reynoso was as an activist before he was elected and he's been staunchly against charter school co-locations and expansions as well as over policing of schools. He supports giving parents the right to opt out of state tests and other issues.
District 33: Parts of Greenpoint, Navy Yard, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, Fulton Ferry, Greenpoint, Vinegar Hill, Williamsburg
Following the September primary, Councilman Stephen Levin from the 33rd District, is up for election in his third and final term. Although the current term limit for city council members is two four-year terms, Levin is grandfathered in and allowed to run for a third term.
During his eight years in office, he's focused on transportation issues in the district, homeless and the foster care system and pushing the city to purchase the last piece of land it needed to build Bushwick Inlet Park.
He faces a last minute challenge from political novice Victoria Cambranes, who was inspired to run for office after the July 22 death of cyclist Neftaly Ramirez.
Voters in North Brooklyn can also cast ballots on who the Democratic nominee will be in the crowded Brooklyn district attorney race, where Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez will run against a host of other candidates including former prosecutor Anne Swern.
The primary election is on Tuesday, Sept. 12. followed by the general election on Nov. 7. You can locate your polling station online here.
