Jeffries vs. Barron: Head-to-Head On the Issues

It's decision time.

With voting set to begin Tuesday in this year's first-of-a-kind early summer primary, registered Democrats in the 8th Congressional District will make a choice between Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Councilman Charles Barron.

Will it be Barron, D-East New York, a former Black Panther and schoolteacher who has gained the endorsements of and , among others?

Or will it be Jeffries, D-Fort Greene, —perhaps due to his pledge to knit together the district's traditional African-American voting base with an influx of new, mostly white, residents?

To help voters decide, here is a head-to-head matchup of the respective candidates' views on important issues based on a mix of Patch's own reporting, the reporting of others, or statements in the public record.

Affordable Housing

Jeffries
For. On the state level, Jeffries has promoted extending current rent protections and creating new affordable housing—including pushing for a promised 2,000 units at Atlantic Yards. In the Assembly, he was a vocal critic of the state Senate during for millions of subsidized units throughout the city in 2011.

Barron
For. As a representative of one of the hardest hit Council Districts in terms of foreclosures, Barron has laid the blame for the housing crisis squarely on Wall Street and national Republicans. He also recently joined critics of the Atlantic Yards project at calling for developer Bruce Ratner to deliver on promised affordable housing units.

Atlantic Yards

Barron
Fiercely opposed. As a Congressional candidate, Barron has emerged as one of the most forceful critics of the soon-to-be-opened Barclays Center and the rest of the Atlantic Yards redevelopment project—calling on residents to boycott Brooklyn Nets games and arena concerts such as Jay-Z's planned series of shows in September.

Jeffries
Highly critical. Compared to Barron, Jeffries' position on Atlantic Yards redevelopment has been more nuanced, with the Fort Greene Democrat calling for more oversight in the form of that would create an independent board to keep the best interests of the community in mind.

Marriage equality

Jeffries
In favor. As a state legislator, Jeffries voted "Yes” several times in an ultimately successful legislative push to grant same-sex couples the ability to marry in New York State.

Barron
Opposed. In a Capital New York interview last year, Barron said he was against same-sex marriage. During earlier this month, Barron chose not to respond to a question regarding his position on marriage equality.

Stop and Frisk

Barron
Opposed. The East New York Democrat told police at the FGA's June debate, “If you want to stop and frisk somebody, stop and frisk Wall Street."

Jeffries
Opposed. Last week, Jeffries stood side-by-side with Gov. Andrew Cuomo to announce a proposal —a key issue in many stop-and-frisk searches. The proposal later died in the state Senate due to staunch upstate and Long Island Republican resistance.

Israel

Jeffries
For. Jeffries has made several statements that have been highly supportive of continuing our relationship with Israel—a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. "He is a true blue friend of Israel and has a sophisticated sense of America's unique role in a complex, interconnected world," said Sen. Charles Schumer in a statement endorsing Jeffries.

Barron
Allegedly against. Several prominent lawmakers, including former Mayor Ed Koch, recently blasted Barron for past comments made in regards to Israel's right to exist.