Editorial: Go out and vote!

Tuesday, September 12 is Primary Day, the day that voters who are members of political parties have the opportunity to cast a ballot for those who they wish to be their party’s nominee in the November 7 general election.

In southwest Brooklyn, it promises to be a particularly lively occasion.

With City Councilmember Vincent Gentile term-limited, his soon-to-be-open seat in the 43rd C.D. — comprised of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach or Gravesend —  is being sought by nine candidates: Five Democrats (Justin Brannan, Kevin Peter Carroll, Vincent Chirico, the Reverend Khader El-Yateem and Nancy Tong) and four Republicans (Bob Capano, Liam McCabe, John Quaglione and Lucretia Regina-Potter).

It’s arguably the most contested City Council race in the entire city, reflecting the level of passion the communities that are part of it have for their neighborhoods.

If you belong to either of those parties, you owe it to yourself, your family, your neighbors and your community — not to mention the plethora of candidates who have spent the spring and summer vying for your vote — to make sure that on Primary Day, your voice is heard.
Even if you don’t live in the 43rd C.D., you still have some pretty important decisions to make.

In the neighboring City Council district, in Sunset Park and Red Hook (38th C.D.), Democratic voters will get to choose between five candidates — the prior occupant of the seat, Sara Gonzalez; the incumbent Councilmember Carlos Menchaca; Chris Miao; Assemblymember Felix Ortiz and Delvis Valdes. It’s also a high-profile race that could have a huge impact on the future of the district.

And, wherever you live in Brooklyn, if you’re a Democrat, you’ll also be choosing your candidate for district attorney. With the death of trailblazing District Attorney Ken Thompson a little less than a year ago, six candidates are vying to fill the void — Ama Dwimoh, Marc Fliedner, Patricia Gatling, Gentile, Acting D.A. Eric Gonzalez and Anne Swern — providing an important choice that will impact the delivery of justice in our borough for the next four years.

Democracy works best when voters take the time to be informed and cast a ballot.

If you need more information on any of the candidates, turn to our Primary Guide in this issue.

But, whatever you do, if you can vote, make sure you do!