The Kellner Committee has announced yet another endorsement of Michah Kellner's candidacy for the 65th Assembly District's open seat.
Moments ago, Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., declared his support for Kellner's run.
The press release appears below.
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MICAH KELLNER FOR STATE ASSEMBLY
NYC COMPTROLLER BILL THOMPSON ENDORSES MICAH KELLNER
FOR NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today endorsed the candidacy of Democrat Micah Kellner for the 65th Assembly District seat (Upper East Side, Yorkville and Roosevelt Island). In announcing his support for Kellner's candidacy, Comptroller Thompson issued the following statement:
"I am proud to endorse the candidacy of Micah Kellner to represent the people of Upper East Side, Yorkville, and Roosevelt Island in the New York State Assembly. I know Micah Kellner to be an effective and dedicated public servant with grass-roots community support and a proven record of commitment to the neighborhoods he serves.
"I know from the fine work he has done on the staff of the City Comptroller's office that Micah Kellner knows how to bring people together to effect meaningful change -- and how to provide a voice for those who all too often are not heard.
Micah Kellner will be an Assemblyman that New Yorkers can count on to get the job done and to make sure that our great city stops getting shortchanged by misguided State policies on school funding, transportation, housing and many other vital concerns.
"Micah Kellner will be a vigorous and tireless watchdog of the public interest in working to make State authorities and commissions, like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), more responsive in their decision-making and transparent in their operations. He is an outspoken and effective champion for people with disabilities, and will fight to minimize disruptions to residents and small businesses as the Second Avenue Subway project gets under way .
"Micah Kellner is also a grass-roots community activist who will be an energetic and effective advocate for the quality of life on the East Side and Roosevelt Island. As an Assemblyman, Micah Kellner will be even more effective fighting to improve the quality of life on Roosevelt Island and to maintain this unique community as an affordable, comfortable home to its residents."
Comptroller Thompson's endorsement adds him to the rapidly expanding list of leading local Democrats supporting Kellner's candidacy, including:
- Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney;
- Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer;
- Councilwoman Jessica Lappin;
- Councilman Daniel Garodnick;
- Assemblyman Jonathan Bing;
- Frank Wilkinson, Democratic District Leader in the 65th A.D.;
- Ruth C. Halberg, Democratic State Committee Member for the 65th A.D.;
- Pauline Dana-Bashian, Democratic District Leader of the 65th A.D.;
- Betsy Feist, President, East Side Democratic Club;
- Jerome Tarnoff, Secretary, New York County Democratic Committee;
- Ronnie Terr, former Democratic District Leader, 65th A.D.;
- Ken Mills, 65th A.D. Democratic County Committee Member & former Democratic District Leader;
- Barry Klein, former President, Manhattan Young Democrats and former Democratic candidate, 65th A.D.;
- Brad Hoylman, Democratic District Leader and former President, Gay & Lesbian Independent Democrats;
- Dirk McCall, former President, Stonewall Democratic Club;
- Alexander Wood, past 504 Democratic Club President & 2004 Democratic Nat'l. Convention Delegate;
- Margie Smith, Member, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council*;
- Steve Marcus, former President and current Member, RIRA Common Council*;
- James Whalen, Executive Committee Member, Lenox Hill Democratic Club and Member, RIRA Common Council*;
- Roslyn Fernandez, 65th A.D. Democratic County Committee Member from Roosevelt Island;
- Helene Simon, Executive Committee Member, Lenox Hill Democratic Club;
- Brian Chenensky, Executive Committee Member, Lenox Hill Democratic Club;
- Josephine Barnes, Executive Committee Member, Lenox Hill Democratic Club;
- League of Humane Voters;
- and Animal Friendly NYC.
* Organizations listed for identification purposes only
William C. Thompson, Jr. was re-elected as New York City's 42nd Comptroller last year, earning 92% of the vote. As the City's chief fiscal watchdog, Comptroller Thompson has been a vigilant and effective safeguard of the City's fiscal health, identifying significant cost-saving measures, forcing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to open up its books to the public, and rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. He also serves as the custodian and investment advisor to all five City pension funds, a combined portfolio of more than $100 billion. In this capacity, Thompson has helped support affordable housing and job growth and advance major corporate governance reform and socially progressive corporate policies including banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and adopting stricter environmental and human rights standards.
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