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.
