Oh, he's on the 'left' all 'right,' as of now
NY ‘Conservative’ woos Dem Socialists
Councilman Rafael Espinal is the life of the party — too many parties and ideologies, critics say.
The Brooklyn councilman, who is running for public advocate, identified himself in a recent questionnaire as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America while seeking the group’s endorsement.
But the Democrat ran on the Conservative Party line during his first two successful races for state Assembly in 2011 and 2012.
That’s the right-wing party that is opposed to everything the DSA stands for. The Conservatives support the death penalty, oppose gun control and abortion rights, and back police tactics such as stopand-frisk.
The Conservatives also believe that local government and courts should help the feds deport illegal immigrants residing in New York and oppose Dream Act legislation to provide tuition assistance to undocumented students.
Espinal’s earlier alliance with the Conservative Party — and shift to the left in recent years, which includes endorsing Bernie Sanders for president in 2016 — is drawing attention as he seeks the public advocate’s post, a stepping stone to the mayoralty.
A rival running for public advocate said Espinal has a lot of explaining to do.
“Running on the Conservative Party line is a political liability,” said candidate Nomiki Konst. “That means Espinal supported that party’s platform. He’s a politician.”
Former Brooklyn Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar said Espinal once actively courted party members for support.
“Espinal clearly moved away from us,” Kassar said. “There’s no communication with the Conservative Party anymore. He went full boat moving to the other side.”
At the time, Espinal was also backed by the Brooklyn Democratic machine led by Vito Lopez
Espinal defended his prior affiliation with the Conservative Party.
“I have always been a liberal Democrat and ran as a Democrat, but I represented a district that had very different views on social issues than I did,” he said in a statement.
“And when I first ran in 2011 at the age of 26, I believed that it was my responsibility to be accountable to the majority of the voices,” the statement continued. “But from being a leading advocate for the environment to being the first NYC official to endorse Bernie Sanders in 2016, I think it’s clear that my views have been more aligned with the DSA.”
He also sought backing from the Working Families Party at the same time he wooed the Conservatives.
Espinal is respected for his work on the council, including repealing the antiquated Cabaret Law, which prohibited bars and clubs from allowing dancing without a special license.
He isn’t the only candidate who has experienced a sea change.
Fellow Brooklyn Councilman and public-advocate candidate Jumaane Williams disavowed his prior personal opposition to samesex marriage and abortion. In 2014, he took heat for abstaining from a vote to allow transgender New Yorkers to change their sex on birth certificates. He now embraces LGBT and abortion rights.