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Volume XXI • Number 17 • April 24 - 30, 2014 •
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Oliver Koppell’s ‘Last Hurrah?’ By RIVERDALE REVIEW STAFF State Senator Jeff Klein’s reelection campaign officially kicked off this week, and received a major boost from the most prominent “progressive” Democratic elected official in the United States. Meanwhile, informed sources agree that former City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell was poised to announce his candidacy against Klein perhaps as soon as Thursday. But Mayor Bill de Blasio’s embrace of Klein, has to be seen as a major blow ro Koppell’s nascent campaign On Monday, de Blasio stopped by the Riverdale Neighborhood House with Klein and others as part of an event to encourage City parents to register their children for pre-kindergarten classes. During the event, de Blasio spoke effusively about Klein’s role in securing funding for pre-K classes, heaping praise on the co-leader of the State Senate for his efforts. “I want to single out and thank Senator Klein for the leadership role he played in Albany. He deserves a special thanks,” de Blasio said. “I can safely say if it weren’t for Senator Klein’s leadership, it would never have been possible to get the State Senate to fully support our vision for full-day pre-K and after-school, our vision for five years of funding at
the levels we needed.” Later in the event, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. also praised Senator Klein for his efforts, stating that universal pre-K would not have happened in this City without Senator Klein’s efforts. “The Senate would not have done it without the leadership of Jeff Klein,” said Borough President Diaz. Mayor de Blasio was asked about Koppell’s impending challenge of Klein in this year’s Democratic Primary. He declined to offer an official endorsement of Senator Klein or anyone else, stating that it was too early to get involved in primaries, if he got involved at all. However, Bronx political observers were quick to note that Mayor de Blasio’s words should take the wind out of Koppell’s sails, since Koppell’s entire basis for running against Senator Klein is based on the senator’s governing partnership with Senate Republicans through the Independent Democratic Caucus. “If the prince of progressivism is giving his blessing to Jeff Klein, then where can Koppell hang his hat?” asked one borough insider. “This should give Koppell pause, but he’ll probably soldier on. He’s always been impervious to
criticism or reality.” During the past week, Koppell has reached out to elected officials and other borough leaders to inform them privately that he will run against Senator Klein, according to sources. Koppell also told several media outlets this week that he was “positively inclined” to run, and would make his official announcement shortly, perhaps as soon as this Thursday. Senator Klein made his official reelection announcement on Tuesday in Morris Park, flanked by more than 100 elected officials and community leaders from across the borough, including Borough President Diaz, former Borough President Fernando Ferrer, Bronx County Democratic Party Chairman and Assemblyman Carl Heastie, and former City Council Member June M. Eisland. Ms. Eisland served for many years during Koppell’s most active years in public life, so her endorsement oif Klein must come as a bitter blow to Mr. Koppell. “You have put your trust in me and you are who I fight for everyday. Having the chance to make a difference in your lives has made me the person I am and I want to spend the next 20 years doing the very same thing,” said Senator Klein, who
At Monday event, Mayor Bill DeBlasio was effusive in his praise of the leadership of State Senator Jeff Klein in securing full funding for Mr. DeBlasio’s signature Universal Pre-Kindergarten program.
In the classic film, “The Last Hurrah,” Spencer Tracy plays the part of a politician who didn’t know when it was time to bow out of the political limelight. See editorial on page 14
has represented the area for two decades first as an Assemblyman and currently as a State Senator. “We’ll keep fighting, keep growing, keep getting stronger and make our neighborhoods and New York better than they’ve ever been,” Klein added. “Jeff Klein has been a leader on numerous issues in our borough. From his efforts to bring new transportation options to The Bronx, his work to allow immigrant families a chance at the American dream, or his efforts to make our streets even safer, Jeff Klein has been a strong partner in our efforts to rebrand and redevelop the ‘New Bronx.’ I am proud to stand with him today, and I urge all voters in the 34th State Senate District to join me in supporting the reelection of State Senator Jeff Klein,” said Borough President Diaz.. “For three decades Jeff Klein has dedicated himself to public service and has bettered the borough he grew up in. As a legislator, his continued commit-
ment to Democratic causes and longstanding support in electing Democrats in this borough has moved The Bronx in the right direction. I look forward to working with him in the state legislature well into the future and I’m proud to endorse him for the 34th State Senate District,” said Assemblyman Heastie. At the event, Klein also received endorsements from Assembly Members Michael Benedetto, Mark Gjonaj, Jose Rivera, Marcos Crespo and Luis Sepulveda; and Council Members James Vacca, Annabel Palma, Vanessa Gibson and Ritchie Torres. The Rivera endorsement of Klein is yet another blow. Koppell’s kamikaze support of Rivera, the soon-to-be-deposed County Democratic boss in 2008, set the stage for the chilly relations Koppell has to this day with current elected officials, especially Koppell’s former protégé, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who is soon expected to announce that he, too, will back Klein.