In a progressive city like New York, where political candidates usually try to outflank each other on the left, there is one Brooklyn City Council where the right still has a strong voice and where people running for office court it.
The Brooklyn Tea Party is stepping into the Republican Primary in the 43rd Council District (Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst, Bath Beach). The party has endorsed Republican Liam McCabe for the Council seat.
Brooklyn Tea Party President Glenn Nocera said the endorsement was made out of a conviction that McCabe, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island), will fight for the community.
“Liam McCabe is a proven leader who has shown how hard he will work for the community through his past experience working for elected officials and through his own independent work to help and to fight for our neighborhoods,” Nocera said in a statement.
McCabe, who quit his job at Donovan’s office to run for City Council, said he is gratified by the endorsement.
“I am pleased to accept the endorsement from the Brooklyn Tea Party and to know that they trust me to focus on bringing resources and opportunities to the residents of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Bath Beach, and to stand up to the mayor and stand strong on the City Council on behalf of my neighbors,” he said.
McCabe is also the founder and former CEO of Steeplechase Strategies, a political consulting firm.
McCabe has been endorsed by Donovan and has the support of City Comptroller candidate Michel Faulkner, former state Sen. David Storobin and the Brooklyn Teen Republican Club.
McCabe is one of three Republicans running in the Sept. 12 primary. Bob Capano and John Quaglione are also running for the GOP nomination. The Democrats running for the Council seat are Justin Brannan, Kevin Peter Carroll, Rev. Khader El-Yateem and Nancy Tong.
The general election will take place on Nov. 7.
McCabe recently made news with his proposal to have business owners adopt and subway stations.
McCabe said his “Adopt-A-Station” idea is based on the “Adopt-A-Highway” program that has seen great success over the years.
Under “Adopt-A-Highway,” organizations or individuals agree to maintain sections of roadways and in exchange a sign is placed at the location listing the name of the organization or person.
McCabe said the same concept could work for stations along the R line in Bay Ridge.
“I recommend we introduce an Adopt-a-Subway Program that allows private businesses to help support the maintenance of specific subway stations and segments of MTA train lines,” McCabe said in a statement.
Adopt-A-Highway is a tax-deductible program in which New Yorkers agree to clean and maintain sections of roadways in the city. McCabe’s plan would give businesses free signage and free advertising space in stations in exchange for financial support for station maintenance.
“Many of the issues we are seeing with the MTA come from a lack of accountability. Bringing in more stakeholders, especially those who are able to add to funding for maintenance and upkeep, creates accountability and promotes the cleaner, safer commuting experience that New Yorkers need to rely on.”
