‘Race’ on in speaker bid
COUNCILMAN Jumaane Williams isn’t dropping out of the race to become speaker — and is demanding an explanation from city powerbrokers, including Mayor de Blasio, as to why they didn’t find one of the candidates of color qualified enough for the job.
“Right now I’m saying I’m remaining a candidate,” Williams told reporters in a conference call. “Most important to me is this message that’s being floated out there that none of us are qualified.”
Williams’ comments come two days after news broke that Councilman Corey Johnson, who is white, appeared to have lined up enough votes to become speaker in January — leading to plenty of praise from his colleagues and the mayor. It also raised questions about elevating a white man to the post over five candidates who are black or Hispanic.
“I think it is ongoing work,” de Blasio said Thursday, asked about those concerns. “But at the same time, in any given moment when you are looking at a group of candidates there is a lot attributes, including who can work best with everyone, in a very diverse body and a very diverse city. And I came to the conclusion that Corey Johnson was the person who could do that best.”
Williams blasted such responses, saying they harked back to a long history of black and Latino people being told the reason they weren’t elevated to positions of power was that none of them were qualified. Speaking of the mayor in particular, he characterized some of his commentary about the race — including the comment that there’d be another one in four years — as “flippant.”
“That's an interesting comment, particularly from him. It seemed to be belittling how race is important, considering how he came into office,” he said of the mayor, who was elected in large part by black voters.
Williams also noted those involved in picking the next speaker have “national aspirations” — and they were squandering the moral high ground at home. Asked if he was referring to Queens County Democratic boss Rep. Joseph Crowley, who played a major role in brokering the deal and who is a contender to be the next House speaker, Williams demurred.
“I’m frustrated with the process that was put forth. There were clear influences, not just one but multiple, and several of them do have national aspirations,” he said.
Williams is one of two candidates for speaker who have not yet dropped out of the race — Councilman Robert Cornegy, who is also black, has said nothing has changed about his candidacy, and Williams praised him for doing so on Friday.
The actual vote will not be held until Jan. 3.