Dem Martha’s Vineyard fundraiser wins coveted position on New York City Board of Trustees

Metro

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by carl campanile

A Democratic fundraiser who co-hosted Live on Martha’s Vineyard for New York’s leading polls beat out other candidates with more local support to win the coveted spot on the state’s powerful Board of Regents. won a spot.

The state Democratic Party, which has the most influence in the selection process, typically defers to local powerhouses when it comes to regent seats, but with the recent selection of Hasoni Platts as the Brooklyn borough council member responsible for making education policy, That tradition has been broken. This was revealed by a source familiar with the deliberations.

The Brooklyn Democratic Party said its top local support for the post is former City Council member and lobbyist Ken Fisher, followed by former City Councilman and lobbyist Ken Fisher, who has held numerous leadership roles in the New York City public school system and is currently He was followed by Evelyn Castro, a veteran educator and senior advisor to the president. Medgar Evers College, City University of New York, Brooklyn.

But members of Congress have heard from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s staff that the two favored candidates are at odds over their jobs, with Mr. Fisher as a lobbyist and Mr. Castro because of his leadership role at the City University of New York. He said he was told.

They have since been removed from consideration, lawmakers said.

A person familiar with the deliberations suggested that Mr. Heastie put his thumb on the scale for Ms. Platts, but Brooklyn lawmakers said there were no strong statements by the speaker in support of her.

Platts is a senior adviser to the National Urban League, served as the “public engagement coordinator” for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential bid, and is the executive director of Higher Heights, a group whose mission is to elect progressive Black women to public office.・Established Leadership PAC.

“I thought Ken was the perfect candidate to serve on the council. I have known him for years,” said Rep. Eric Dylan, D-Brooklyn. Ta. “He would bring a different perspective of not being a traditional educator.”

After Fisher was disqualified, Dylan sided with Platts.

Platts told New York Magazine in August 2022 that she co-sponsored a fundraiser for Heastie on Martha’s Vineyard.

“I’ve been trying to get it [Assembly Speaker] Carl Heastie has been coming here for years. This is a first,” boasted Platts, who has a vacation home in Oak Bluffs.

She donated $250 to Heastie’s campaign, campaign records show.

Rep. Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx), chairman of the Legislature’s education committee and co-chair of interviews for regent candidates, said Fisher and Castro were the top two candidates before they were removed from the race. Stated.

“MS. Mr. Castro was seen well and deservedly so,” Benedetto said.

Rep. Rodnese Bichotte-Hermelin, who is also the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, said Congressional leaders cited Section 202 of the Education Act, which governs the appointment of members of the Board of Regents, to disqualify Mr. Fisher and Mr. Castro. Ta.

“While serving on the board, a member may not serve as director, president, principal, or other officer of any institution under the authority of the board,” the law states.

Bichot-Harmelin said that despite his deep political connections, Platts was a “very humble” person and did not give his name during the interview process.

In an interview, Mr. Castro was asked whether he has any conflicts in his current position as senior advisor to the University President Medgar Evers and dean of the College of Professional and Community Development. She did not do so, she argued, because she was not in a position to decide policy.

Mr. Castro’s resume included serving as director of early childhood education programs for the city’s public school system, principal of Hunter College Elementary School and superintendent of Brooklyn’s 17th Ward.

Platts, who lives in Prospect Heights and has five children, including two currently attending public schools in the city, said in an interview that parents’ voices are important. When she lived in Syracuse, she also helped raise scholarships for her students.

Mr. Heastie’s office declined to comment.

Platts did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.