Jockeying Begins For Brooklyn Democratic Leadership Post

It's a race happening mostly behind-the-scenes, with no campaigning, no advertisements—not even confirmation that any of the rumored candidates are actually running for the position at stake.

In the wake of to step aside as chairman of the Brooklyn Democrats, the jockeying for his replacement has already begun. And despite the near-total invisibility of the campaign, it's a race that has big implications for the political future of a borough where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 7 to 1.

As the party faithful prepare to meet Thursday to start the selection process, a shortlist of names has emerged for the top job, including district leaders Walter Mosley, Jo Anne Simon and Frank Seddio.

According to political insiders, Seddio currently has an edge among the borough's district leaders tasked with selecting the next Brooklyn Democratic Party chairperson.

"He is the right man for the right job at the right time—exactly what Brooklyn, New York State and Democrats need to preserve and even strengthen our majority in the Assembly, ensure the best chances possible of taking control of the Senate and unify the party as we re-elect Barack Obama to a second term in this critical November election," said Borough President Marty Markowitz in a statement Wednesday.

But not everyone seems convinced that Seddio—a former Assemblyman from South Brooklyn—is the right choice for a borough-wide party that has become more ethnically diverse and progressive.

In the wake of Lopez's political implosion due to , insiders say there is pressure on the party to stake out a different direction.

That view favors candidates such as Mosley and Assemblyman Karim Camara, D-Crown Heights, who is chairman of the Assembly's Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus.

However, in Camara's case, any bid for Brooklyn Democratic boss would hit a significant roadblock in the form of party rules that require any candidate to be either a district leader or a member of the executive board—of which Camara is neither.

As for Mosley, he is currently in the homestretch of his candidacy to replace Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, D-Fort Greene, in a race against fellow District Leader Olanike "Ola" Alabi and Martine Guerrier.

"Walter is focused on running for the 57th Assembly District," said a Mosley spokesperson on Tuesday.

According to insiders, that leaves Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, D-Sunset Park, and Simon—who is being floated as a reform candidate in the race for boss of the Brooklyn Democrats.

But in the end, the ultimate decision will be made—as is customary in Brooklyn as in Albany—behind a closed door.

C. Zawadi Morris and Amy Clark contributed reporting.