Last-ditch bid
B’klyn pol runs for Council speaker, vote near
BROOKLYN CITY Councilwoman Inez Barron says she’s mounting a last-minute bid for Council speaker — and will remain in the running through an official vote set for next week.
The long-shot move comes after Democratic leaders threw their support behind Councilman Corey Johnson, giving him enough votes to prevail.
But the choice of Johnson, who is white, also sparked a backlash from some groups who wanted to see a black or Hispanic candidate selected for the powerful post.
“We have never had a black speaker,” said Barron, one of the Council’s most liberal members. “I believe that now is a time for us to be able to have black representation.”
Two other candidates, Robert Cornegy and Jumaane Williams, who are both black and from Brooklyn, have remained in the race. The rest of the field, which numbered eight candidates, has lined up behind Johnson.
Barron said she didn’t throw her hat in the ring originally because she was willing to support one of the other black candidates. But she was not convinced either of the remaining two candidates would stay in the running until the votes are counted, rather than accepting a powerful committee post and bowing out.
“I am committed to not use this run for speaker as leverage to get some other position, but to in fact go all the way,” she said.
While not yet assured of any votes other than her own, Barron said she’s courting her colleagues for support.
“We’re urging people to not be governed or intimidated or threatened by the usual forces,” she said. “We’re urging people not to be whipped into line by the threat of punishment.”