Citizens Union Announces Preference for Ben Kallos in 2013 Primary Election

 

 

 

Citizens Union today announced its preferences in 25 City Council primary elections, as well as the primaries for Manhattan Borough President, Queens Borough President, Brooklyn District Attorney and Assembly Districts 86 and 53. Citizens Union is supporting the election of nineteen candidates running in open council seats. New York City faces arguably the largest turnover in city government in a generation as candidates vie for all three citywide offices and nearly half the City Council seats.

 

“New York City faces a uniquely pivotal election year and these worthy candidates have risen to the moment,” said Dick Dadey, Executive Director of Citizens Union. “Our thorough evaluation process sought candidates committed to honest, effective and accountable government and capable of serving their constituents as well as the needs of the city as a whole. We feel these qualities are well represented in each of our preferred candidates.”

 

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In Manhattan City Council District 5, Citizens Union prefers Ben Kallos over Micah Kellner and Ed Hertzog. Citizens Union is deeply concerned with the sexual harassment allegations surrounding Kellner’s tenure in the State Assembly and believes that Kallos will be a strong voice for reform in the City Council.

 

DISTRICT 5 – DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Benjamin Kallos has made his career in good government. He is former Executive Director of the New Roosevelt Initiative, currently known as EffectiveNY, an organization geared towards state constitutional reform. Kallos has worked under Public Advocate Mark Green and Assemblymember Jonathan Bing on similar reform-minded initiatives. His platform aligns very closely with that of Citizens Union. Specifically, Kallos wants to increase transparency by making more information on the City Council available online, including outside income disclosures. Kallos would also ensure that the city’s landmark Open Data Law is fully implemented, using his oversight role in the City Council to monitor agency compliance. He also supports election reforms such as instituting instant runoff voting for citywide elections, and would utilize participatory budgeting if elected to distribute member items in his district. Beyond good government issues, Kallos opposes the construction of the marine waste transfer plant on East 91st Street and suggests eliminating the need for its construction with increased recycling and a broader plan for waste management for the city. Citizens Union believes that Kallos will be a strong voice for reform in the City Council, and that with in-depth policy knowledge on our issues, he earns our preference.