Last night over 200 Bronx and citywide politically minded people attended the 53rd Annual Ben Franklin Democratic Club Dinner. Elected officials that the club has endorsed included Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. State Senators Jeff Klein, and Gustavo Rivera, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie, Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, several Judges, and Koppell's possible successor Andrew Cohen (who has been endorsed by the club). Four of the top six announced Democratic Mayoral candidates attending were City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, City Comptroller John Liu, Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, and former City Comptroller Bill Thompson. Other elected officials who came to the dinner were State senators Dan Squadron (candidate for Public Advocate), State Senator Diane Savino, City Council members Dan Garodnick and Mark Weprin.
The dinner was opened with a disclaimer about a story in a local Riverdale paper about political clubs which included the Ben Franklin Club. Club President Ellen Feld said the story did not mention any wrongdoings on the part any of the clubs listed, which was later echoed by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.
Mr. Bill Weitz Chief of Staff to Congressman Engel, (who was detained in Washington) presented the Distinguished Institute Award to The College of Mount St. Vincent. Councilman G. Oliver Koppell presented The Lee Heimlich Community Service Award to The Crime Victims Support Services of the North Bronx. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz presented the Jonathan B. Bingham Award to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Highlights of the dinner- When I asked Bronx Democratic County Leader Heastie about some Bronx elected officials endorsing four different candidates for mayor already, Heastie said that there is over 60 elected and party officials in the Bronx. "Some are bound to have their own candidates, but the Bronx Democratic County organization will have a significant impact on the mayors race".
State Senator Jeff Klein on the recent John Sampson corruption arrest and State Senator Huntly conviction said " That is why the Independent Democratic Conference was formed".
Heard from one UFT rep at the dinner, the UFT will probably endorse John Liu or Bill Thompson for mayor, Quinn would be just like four more years of Bloomberg.
Left- 81st A.D. Female District Leader Randi Martos greets City Council Speaker Christine Quinn as Quinn arrives at the Ben Franklin dinner.
Right - State Senator Dan Squadron (candidate for Public Advocate) speaks with fellow senators Jeff Klein and Diane Savino before the dinner.
Left - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. speaks after receiving his award.
Right - Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson speaks with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, his son Eric Dinowitz (back to camera), and Bronx Democratic Councty Leader Carl Heastie.
Left - Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio is heads above others as you see in this photo with staffer Paula Chowles.
Right - Councilman Koppell's right hand man seems to have the best seat in the house as he and two friends enjoy dessert and coffee as the dinner winds down.
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