On Tuesday night, David Yassky lost his bid to be the city's next comptroller a job that, according to Tom Robbins in the Village Voice, he is "tailor-made to be."
funding. He spent time as a corporate lawyer and more time analyzing
municipal finances at the city's budget office. His Council reputation
is bright and creative, and he even has achievements to show for it:
affordable housing on the Brooklyn waterfront, the rescue of Red Hook's working piers, clean-fuel cabs on city streets.
So, after two terms as City Council member for the 33rd district, what does this mean for Yassky's future? Yassky was at a similar crossroads when he lost his bid for the congressional seat now held by Yvette Clarke.
At the end of December, he'll be out of a job as he will no longer be representing a district that includes Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Navy Yard and Greenpoint.
Many think it was his vote to eliminate term limits that cost him the election.
On election night he told the Brooklyn Paper: “For the rest of the year, I intend to focus on completing my
service to the district. In the short term, I’m going to get a few good night’s sleep. Then I’ll
think about my future.”
Indeed, it was a tough race with a very low voter turnout in the primary and the run-off on September 29th. While Yassky had endorsements from all the major NCY newspapers, including the New York Times, the Daily News, the New York Post and the Brooklyn Paper and Senator Chuck Schumer's support, his opponent, John Liu, had organized labor on his side and a lot of big endorsements as well.
Liu won with 127,000
votes to Yassky’s 101,000. Yassky said in his concession speech on Tuesday night that he is sure that John Liu will do a good job as City Comptroller.
Yes, his support of extending terms was exactly the reason I didn’t vote for him as well as his weaseling, waffle-y stance on Atlantic Yards.
Yes, I admire David and voted for him, but I also believe his term limits vote cost him.