City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito personally acknowledged Monday that lawmakers might ignore the recommendation of Manhattans Democratic Party boss and appoint a new Board of Elections commissioner of their own choosing.... Commissioners are traditionally selected by the borough parties. They not only set election policy but control the doling out of the Boards many patronage jobs, often in concert with those who appointed them. State Assemblyman Keith Wright, Manhattans Democratic boss, wants to retain Soumas, arguing that the beleaguered Board is functioning more smoothly under his supervision. But the Council must confirm the nominees, and because Wright missed a 2012 deadline to resubmit Soumas as his pick, the Councils Manhattan delegation can advance its own candidate.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:02:36 +0000