First Woman to Run for Bklyn Borough Prez

By TELVIN POLEDORE

Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon announced her candidacy for Borough President of Brooklyn on Thursday morning in front of James Madison High School, the alma mater of the late Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, symbolizing the candidate’s potential to become the first woman elected to the office.

Simon, a civil rights lawyer and longtime community activist, bills herself as having worked tirelessly to reduce gun violence, promote environmental justice, increase affordable housing, advocate for gender equity.

In 2014, Simon was elected to represent neighborhoods such as Brooklyn Heights and Carroll Gardens in the New York State Assembly.

With current borough president, Eric Adams, running for New York City mayor in 2021, she faces many rivals for the largely ceremonial seat but stands out as the only woman in the race.

“I bring a different experience,” she said. “I bring the voices of women and women need to be fully represented and girls need someone to look up to.”

Of the Brooklyn-born supreme court justice she said, “We lost a great light in our country…I couldn’t think of a better place to launch the campaign”

One of Simon’s opponents reacted with grace to her candidacy.

“Ms. Simon is a leader in her community,” said East Brooklyn community leader Khari Edwards, “and believes that she is best served to lead Brooklyn as I do. Looking forward to this race…You are going to see changes in how I lead, it will be more collaborative.”