The fiery four-man race for Democrat Ann-Margaret Carrozza’s assembly seat in District 26 has been one of the more interesting races in the upcoming Democratic primary election on September 14. So far, Ed Braunstein – backed by popular politicians like gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo as well as U.S. Representative Gary Ackerman, State Senator Toby Stavisky and others – has been able to raise $170,242; a figure that has put a target on his back.
“This race has proved how bad our political system really is,” said candidate Steve Behar, attorney and small business owner. “The Braunstein campaign is everything that’s wrong with the political system. He’s done nothing in the district but says he has a history. It’s ugly.”
Elio Forcina, a Vietnam-veteran, lawyer and small business owner, was recently endorsed by former Mayor Ed Koch but believes Braunstein misled the public about a recent mailer indicating that Koch gave him the title of “hero of reform.”
“[Brownstein] wrongly implied Koch personally gave him that title. Ed Braunstein hasn’t reformed a thing in his life. He’s never run a business in our community and hasn’t provided for a family here. All he’s done is work in downtown Manhattan as an Albany insider,” said Forcina.
Candidate John Duane admits that his biggest obstacle in the push toward the primary has been raising funds but hopes his knowledge of the issues will feed “recent momentum.”
“We have refused to accept money from special interests. We are strictly grassroots. It’s time consuming but a very rewarding process.”
Braunstein, 28 – the youngest of the candidates – has worked with Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver for the past five years. According to Evan Stavisky, spokesmen for the Braunstein campaign, he has earned the trust of community leaders.
“I think we are going to win,” said Stavisky, who noted Braunstein was a product of local schools. “He is a credible voice for reform . . . there have been hundreds of triumphs along the way on the campaign trail.”
