Former disgraced NYC council members aim for political resurgence in Democratic Party primary elections
Fresh Take:
Feeling like a phoenix rising from the ashes, a few disgraced politicos are trying their luck at redemption with a city council comeback. Among them is Andy King, who's stepping into the ring once more in the Democratic Party primaries.
Back in the day, King served as a Bronx councilman, but his tenure hit a dead end in 2020 due to a string of misconduct allegations. Claims of harassing a staffer, treating his employees poorly, and ignoring disciplinary actions were substantiated by an ethics panel. However, Mr. King denied it all and now sees himself back in the game, running in District 12 against incumbent Kevin Riley.
With a wink at The Post, King admitted, "I apologize if I offended anyone." Seeming optimistic about his chances, he added, "You play until the buzzer. I think we have a shot." King's focus? Public safety and street cleaning, working hand-in-glove with the NYPD. He's been clear about his stance: "Defund the police? Not on my watch."
Riley, the current councilman, entered the scene in 2021, following a decade of service for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. His endorsements? The SEIU 1199, Local 32 BJ, and District Council 37 - some of the city's major labor unions. "The community will make the right decision," assures Riley.
District 12 includes neighborhoods like Williamsbridge-Olinville, Bronxwood, Eastchester-Edenwald-Baychester, Wakefield, Allerton-Parkside, Baychester, The Valley, and Co-op City.
In a parallel tale, Ruben Wills is eyeing his old seat in District 28 in Southeast Queens. His old seat's current occupant, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, is running for mayor due to term limits. Wills faced corruption charges in 2017, served eight months in prison, but his conviction was overturned in 2021. He's now aiming for a bit of redemption. Details on his comeback campaign are scarce, though.
As for Ruben's opponents, Tyrell "Ty" Hankerson, Adams' chief of staff, is a notable figure in the race, with the speaker's backing, the Queens Democratic Party leadership, and more than a dozen city labor unions in his corner.
Last but not least, the infamous Anthony Weiner is giving public life another shot after serving 21 months in jail for sexting with a minor. He's set his sights on replacing term-limited lefty Carlina Rivera in Manhattan's District 2, which includes the East Village and the Lower East Side. fellow politicians like Harvey Epstein and Bill de Blasio aide Sarah Batchu are his main competitors.
Stay tuned for more updates on these political comeuppances!
Insights from Enrichment Data:
- Andy King’s Career: Andy King served as a New York City Council member from 2012 to 2020, representing the 12th district.
- Andy King’s Platform: While specifics on King's 2025 platform aren't available, his previous focus areas were community development and social services.
- Andy King’s Opponents in the Democratic Party Primary: Prominent opponents include incumbent Kevin Riley, who was elected following King's departure in 2021. The race may see other candidates emerge closer to the primary.
- Election Timing: The Democratic primary for the 12th district is scheduled for June 24, 2025, with the general election on November 4, 2025.
- Amidst the general news and policy-and-legislation discussions, Andy King's return to politics and his comeback bid for the New York City Council in the Democratic Party primaries is causing a stir, given his previous tenure marked by misconduct allegations.
- In the realm of health, war-and-conflicts, and general news, the focus on public safety and street cleaning in District 12, as prioritized by Andy King in his campaign, highlights the impact of politics on the well-being and safety of its residents.
