In an interview with the New York Observer on a possible primary run for the 34th State Senate district former Councilman Oliver Koppell said “If Jeff Dinowitz decides he wants to run, I’ll support him". Koppell added “It doesn’t look like there’s anybody
else out there, though. I’m not going to go on a kamikaze mission–I feel
there’s considerable support out there.” An online petition is being circulated to urge Koppell to run against Senator Klein which has over 1500 signatures, but most are not from the 34th district.
Koppell has already met with State Senate Democrats who are extremely unhappy with Senator Klein and his now five member Independent Democratic Conference. In 2000 Lorraine Coyle-Koppell (Olivers wife) ran against then Republican State Senator Guy Velella coming close by losing only by a few points. One of Oliver Koppell's problems is his political thinking such as his support of Congestion Pricing when former Mayor Bloomberg proposed it. Koppell also was a key legislator in the City Council who overturned the will of the voters to allow himself and Mayor Bloomberg to be able to be re-elected to a third term. Koppell also supported Bloomberg for mayor in 2009 who was running on the Republican line rather than support former City Controller Bill Thompson who was the candidate of the Democratic Party for Mayor.
I contacted Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz who said that he is running for the assembly. Time will tell if Oliver Koppell puts on the goggles, and gets into his single engine plane with only enough fuel for a one way trip. Here is the entire interview.
6 comments:
Jeff Dinowitz is way too smart and chicken and knows he never beats Klein, but Koppell seems to believe his own hype, so who knows?
I detect a bit of a Jeff Klein bias from the reporter. No mention of Jeff's negatives and he's got many starting with his enabling of the Senate Republicans with his backroom deal with Dean Skelos. A major negative to start.
This is not about Jeff Klein.
It is about Oliver Koppell.
Koppell is not much different in his politics from Klein it seems.
So how did a guy who you all thought was so awesome when he was a councilman suddenly become cool to hate?
You leave out Mr. Koppell's 40 year record as - an assemblyman, short stint when he was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Attorney General's office, years as President of School Board 10, and then Councilman for the 11th district.
I constantly wrote letters to the local newspapers about Councilman Koppell comparing him to his predecessor and the lack of clout he had.
Oliver also made several key mistakes during his 12 years in the council. The biggest one being a sponsor of the repeal of term limits to allow himself and Michael Bloomberg a third term over the will of the voters.
I thought your group supported Mr Koppell 2 times for office? 2005 & 2009?
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