Straight owner of gay bar challenges Tom Duane's chosen successor (from the left)
Tom Greco and Pia Moya. facebook.com
3:34 pm Jul. 12, 201217
Democratic State Senate candidate Brad Hoylman has locked up the support of nearly the entire Democratic establishment in his bid to succeed Tom Duane, and his opponent is trying to use that against him.
"We don't just line up behind the guy whose turn in line it is," said Michael Oliva, a consultant to Hoylman's Democratic opponent, Tom Greco, a bar owner. "That kind of closed-mindedness and strict adherence to authority is for the Republicans."
The race is for the seat being vacated by Tom Duane, the first openly gay member of the State Senate, who represented the West Village for more than a decade. It's a safe seat for any progressive Democrat.
The race is, Greco's campaign hopes, a chance to redefine what that means.
Hoylman, like Duane and the area's councilwoman, Christine Quinn, is openly gay. He's engaged and is the father of an 18-month-old girl.
Greco, who got married this past weekend, is straight, tattooed and runs a popular gay bar, The Ritz Bar and Lounge.
Oliva argues that, in contrast to Hoylman, a former general counsel to the pro-business Partnership for New York City, Greco is the true liberal in the tradition of the famously progressive district.
"Many of the voters in this district struggled for civil rights in the 50s, 60s and 70s, demonstrated against wars and violence and sexual intolerance, and stood up to all manner of human injustice," he said. "They elected Bella Abzug. We want to spark that sense of rebelliousness which still burns deep within them."
Hoylman's campaign manager dismissed the Greco campaign's criticism and stressed Hoylman's record as a longtime Democratic district leader and LGBT activist.
"Brad's track record as a progressive activist speaks for itself," campaign manager Jason Berkenfeld said. "For more than 20 years, he's been a vocal LGBT advocate, helped bring two new public schools to the district, set up a million dollar legal defense fund for tenants, and fought for and won millions of dollars for new parks in the area."
Hoylman has been endorsed by the Working Families Party and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, as well as virtually every local Democratic official, including Duane.
I don't think the district is ready for an out straight. I think Tom made a mistake and should have delayed his marriage and run as a closeted straight.
If all things are equal position-wise, there is value in having an LGBT person representing the district instead of having another pro-gay straight person.
If he treats his campaign the way he treats his patrons (particularly when it's closing time) I think we really need to look elsewhere for a candidate.
While Hoylam is part of the corrupt Quinn-Duane machine, Greco is part of the equally corrupt McManus machine. Azi Paybarah must be clueless to think Greco is coming from the left. He knows nothing about McManus (and Oliva) or West Side politics. Greco has no chance of winning.
Does anyone remember Ted Weiss and Nadler? Certainly not Paybarah.
I think that Tom Greco is a breathe of fresh air and will treat his position as senator with respect and dignity...Buckey
I think that Tom Greco is a breathe of fresh air and will treat his position as New York Senator with respect and dignity...Buckey
I think that Tom Greco is a breathe of fresh air and will treat his position as NY Senator with respect snd dignity...Buckey
I think that Tom Greco will be a breathe of fresh air and will treat his position as NY Senator with respect and dignity...Buckey
I think that Tom Greco will be a breathe of fresh air and treat his position as senator with respecrt and dignity. Buckey
I think that Tom Greco will be a breathe of fresh air and will treat his position as NY Senator with respect and dignity...Buckey
I think that Tom Greco is a breathe of fresh air and will treat his position as NY Senator with respect and dignity...Buckey
Tanika Inlaw (School Teacher) (Ex-NAACP President) she has been campaigning for several weeks and had the most petition volumes than both Hoylman and Greco.
Brad Hoylman does he really serious think people will be voting for him?
VOTER ARE NOT STUPID! YOUR CRAZY IF YOU VOTE FOR BRAD HOYLMAN
See the video's links and there's more...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOEtzt4fi0g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1LrNsWpyq8
http://www.cityandstateny.com/brad-hoylman-registers-quinn-seat-living-w...
Greco is just a joke.
Tom Greco is a great guy. He's genuine, sincere, honest and something unexpected. He has my vote on September 13th.
No more straights in our bars and our business.
GOTO THESE LINKS TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM BRAD HOYLMAN
IF YOU CAN'T CLICK THEM COPY THEM INTO YOUR BROWSER.
brad hoylman ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWuUonRSTPk
click to see brad hoylman --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOEtzt4fi0g
brad hoylman ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w71T0eLs8IA
click to see brad hoylman ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1LrNsWpyq8
TOM GRECO runs a gay bar in hells kitchen and recently married. www.grecoforsenate.com
TANIKA INLAW is a school teacher and Ex-President of NAACP www.tanikainlaw.com
It's outrageous to think hoylman would ask for our vote, he opposed tenants from buying our own apartments in Stuyvesant town, was part of partnership, against minimum wage etc....
Out of the 3 candidates I would vote for Tanika Inlaw for State Senate. You should also.
Thomas Duane is no hero. Tom Duane is a lying, corrupt, self serving and political posturing windbag whose legacy will be that of enabling Christine Quinn's FRAUD. . This is a man who turned his back on the closure of St. Vincent's Hospital and the needs of ordinary New Yorkers for the benefit of the Quinn/Rudin alliance. Screw Tom Duane. Tom Duane is a verbose idiot who is imprisoned by his own self serving stupidity. Tom Duane's retirement is a blessing for the people of New York City. Mr. Duane made a career of trafficking in identity politics but turned his back on his community when it mattered most.