OntheWilderSide

The Bronx County Green Party entered into its first truly competitive New York City Council race last week with the notification by the NYC Campaign Finance Board that Green Party candidate Walt Nestler had received over $35,000 in matching funds from the City. With these matching funds, Mr. Nestler is equally matched to his opponent, Democrat Annabel Palma, who has raised just over $40,000 but has apparently not qualified for matching funds. According to NYC CFB records, she has also spent more on her campaign than she has received in contributions, calling into question her ability to continue running her campaign. 

Bronx County Green Party Chairman Carl Lundgren said,

Voters in the Bronx have  become accustomed to elections being decided in the September primary. But now that the Green Party has a strong, locally backed candidate for City Council, voters are finally going to get a real choice in November on Election Day. This is the first taste of a two-party choice Bronxites will have had in some time for a local election. And we hope to continue to deliver a viable alternative to the one-party system in the Bronx from now on.

Starting on Columbus Day, the Walt Nestler campaign gears up with a “mobile campaign office”. Residents of the 18^th District will see this campaign effort in every neighborhood. The campaign will be discussing the important issues facing the district as well as asking residents about their concerns. Campaign staff will also visit voters door to door. The first stop will be in the Castle Hill / Unionport area.

And, as with any competitive race, Mr. Nestler hopes to debate Ms. Palma at a public forum later in the month.

Filed under: 3rd party, activism, election, Election 2009, elections, grassroots democracy, Green Party, New York State Politics Tagged: | bronx, Walt Nestler