Restler's Deal with Steve Levin? OMG!!!

Restler Warns of Even Tighter Race; Can't Touch Jewish Williamsburg
Orthodox Pundit
May 6, 2012

Lincoln Restler's slim victory for his district leader position is one of the slimmest margins Brooklyn remember (perhaps the narrowest win, by the number of votes, until Storobin-Fidler). Last week, Restler warned at kick-off event for his reelection that the coming race may turn out to be even tighter.

According to Politicker's dispatch from the event, Restler, last Thursday night, cited the strength of his opponent, CB1 chairman Chris Olechowski, especially his ties to Greenpoint’s Polish community - where he kicked off his own campaign, and the firm backing Olechowski is receiving from the Councilman Steve Levin. It was also noted that redistricting took out parts of Fort Greene from Restler's district, a stronghold for him.

Restler conceded at the party that he "can't touch" the Jewish community of Williamsburg, where the majority is loyal to the Vito Lopez. To make up for Vito's strength there, he's aiming to do better than the 79 percent that he won outside the Jewish community, according to his account.

Also, City&State reported last month about a recent meeting between Restler and Steve Levin, in which Lincoln tried to reach a non-aggression pact with Levin, according to Levin's and others' account (oh no, can't be that this reformer was ready to make a deal with the machine...). He was offering not to challenge Levin for his Council seat next year, if Levin and Lopez don't challenge him this year. Levin refused the deal, and is actively supporting Christopher Olechowski.

Restler haven't denied Levin's account, but is saying that currently the, "Council race isn’t on my radar.” Restler is widely believed to consider a bid to unseat Levin next year, and by the meeting he also asked Levin to break away from his former superior and mentor Vito Lopez.

In other news about the constant struggle between Vito Lopez and his opponents, Jesus Gonzolez - who lost it a 3-way race against Assemblyman Rafael Espinal, the victor who was supported by Lopez, and a Towns-family candidate in a special election for Daryl Towns' assembly seat - filed for a committee for a possible run for Erik Dilan's seat, should Dilan win against Nydia Velazquez. Even if he loses, Dilan will step down next year due to term-limits.