Klein vs. Koppell: Cash, Unions and Minorities

After flirting with a run for state Senate for months, fueling speculation that challenging Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein was a foregone conclusion, Oliver Koppell officially announced his candidacy Monday.

In doing so, the former state attorney general, assemblyman and New York City councilman continued his sharp-tonged rhetoric against Klein. Koppell said he is running to, among other things, oust Klein, whom he said has betrayed the Democratic Party and empowered Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos.

“Because of Sen. Klein’s betrayal, Sen. Skelos retains power to veto any legislation that is offered in the state Senate,” Koppell said. “Sen. Skelos retains enormous power (and) Ability to distribute money, both public money and also to raise large amounts of campaign money for the Republican Party because of his power. So Sen. Klein is empowering the Republicans when he says he’s a good democrat and he believes in democratic values. It’s disingenuous.”

Koppell followed a line similar to that of some Senate Democrats, saying Klein has been given ample opportunities to return to the mainline party. Despite speculation and even reports of a possible make-up meeting between Klein and Democratic Senate Campaign Committee Chair Sen. Mike Gianaris, Klein and the IDC have continued to stick with their power-sharing agreement with the Republicans.

Klein’s camp disagreed with Koppell’s take.

“The failed Democratic Conference will never be noted for its accomplishments, only their corruption and dysfunction,” a Senate Independent Democratic Conference spokeswoman said. “They're the traitors to the Democratic Party fundamental ideals of honest and efficient government.”

Koppell is viewed by some on the left as a serious threat to Klein’s Independent Democratic Conference, but others disagree. Klein has the support of powerful unions like the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. He also has more than $1.5 million in his own campaign coffer.

Koppell acknowledged that he likely will not be able to raise the money Klein will have on hand to defend his seat. Koppell said he believes he will win key endorsements, but he was not ready to release any he may already have.

Union endorsements for either candidate are expected to have an impact on the race, especially because it's in New York City, where some unions, such as 1199 SEIU, flexed their muscle during last year’s mayoral election.

Koppell does have the support of the Senate Democrats.

“Oliver Koppell has a record of distinguished service and has shown the ability to stand up for progressive values,” said Josh Cherwin, executive director of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. “It is always our policy to support candidates that will stand up for these values and who are committed to joining the Democratic Conference.”

In recent months, petitions to convince to Koppell to run and to support Klein’s ouster have appeared on the left-leaning website the Daily Kos. One such petition to convince Koppell to run was created by district residents but signed by a majority of residents from outside the 34th District. Koppell said the support from outside the district is key. However, he added that the vote has to be won in the Bronx, no matter how much support he has elsewhere.

But, “saying that statewide support isn’t important would be ignoring reality,” he said.

One political consultant said the statewide support helps if it translates into extra campaign funds for Koppell and grassroots help for his campaign. But the consultant placed more importance on where Koppell finds support in his own district.

The district includes minority neighborhoods, and census data shows that the borough as a whole is nearly half minority. The consultant pointed to Koppell’s long-standing relationship with areas within the district, specifically the respect he has had in the past in Riverdale in the western part of the district. Those things coupled together, plus harping against the failure of the DREAM Act—something Koppell has already used to attack Klein—in the Senate could prove to be a positive for Koppell.

But it will depend on how much of an emphasis Koppell places on that policy area. He said the DREAM Act, campaign finance reform, women’s equality and the environment are policy areas he is focusing on.

However, he starts off with venomous barbs at Klein when asked why he’s running for state Senate.

“I’m running not so much that I want to be a senator, though of course I will serve in the Senate with pleasure and it will be very rewarding. But I’m running to get the Democrats the majority in the state Senate, which they deserve to have as a result of the votes of the people of New York state,” said Koppell, adding that he feels Klein betrayed the party.

The consultant said that rhetoric shows rust from the career politician because it isn’t the strongest way to present his case.

Even if he does shake off that rust, is there an early favorite now that there is a race?

“Everybody wants to conclude and handicap—it must be the Kentucky Derby. Everybody wants to be a handicapper,” the consultant said. “My attitude is: maybe you ought to watch the horses run around the track and practice for a little while before you handicap them.”