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MARGARET CHIN REACTS TO BOARD OF ELECTIONS DISQUALIFICATION OF INCUMBENT.

by SoHo Journal Staff
A press release from City Council candidate Margaret Chin:
 
Margaret Chin, a candidate for the New York City Council, was heartened but not surprised to hear that the Board of Elections in a unanimous 10-0 vote reaffirmed its decision to keep Alan Gerson off the Democratic Primary ballot in September.
 
“The disorganization and lack of oversight which forced the Board to remove Gerson from the ballot is a continuation of the poor job he has done in the City Council for the past eight years,” Margaret said. “His disqualification is further proof that we need an active representative with deep roots in the community and a legacy of going the extra mile to get results on issues vital to our families.”
 
Since the Board of Elections disqualified Alan Gerson from the September Democratic Primary ballot, Margaret Chin has consistently applauded the rules of the Board of Elections which are meant to ensure that candidates for office can satisfy some basic thresholds; understanding of the rules as well as support from the community. According to today’s unanimous ruling by the Board of Elections, Gerson failed to meet these requirements.
 
 “Margaret is the only candidates in this race who has deep roots in the district and has experience with the issues facing working families in District 1” said Harvey Epstein, co-President of the Coalition for a District Alternative. Regardless of whether or not Gerson ends up on the ballot, Margaret arguably has the strongest policy background of any candidate in the race, she added, having worked in the community on local and City issues for over 37 years.
 
In fact, Gerson should not even be on the ballot in the first place. In any other year he would be term limited, and only won his seat in 2001 because the strong incumbent was prevented by term limits from running for reelection. After promising voters that he would vote against the Mayor’s effort to overturn the term limits rule, he voted with the Mayor and Speaker to give himself a third bite at the apple. Call it karma or poetic justice, but it is only fair that Gerson stay off the ballot and that community leaders have an opportunity to represent the district.
 
For more information about Margaret Chin, or to schedule an interview, please contact Jake Itzkowitz at 917-359-1455 Jake.Itzkowitz@gmail.com. Visit us at www.MargaretChin.com
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