li jewish world profile of bill thompson
TRANSCRIPT
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7/27/2019 LI Jewish World Profile of Bill Thompson
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a lock on the black vote.
I dont think theres a lock on
any vote. I think I have received a
lot of support from the black vot-
ers in the past, said Thompson, a
Harlem resident. I dont think
being black and showing up is
going to get me the black vote. I
think talking about jobs, issues of
affordable housing and safety
will get me the support in the
black community. So, I take noth-
ing for granted.
Thompson was asked if hethought a block of Jewish voters
might give his candidacy the
momentum to win.
Im going to work hard to
attract the support of all voters.
The Jewish vote in the city of
New York is defi-
nitely a vote Im
going after. Its not
the only vote. [But]
Jewish voters are
important.
George Artz, a
Democratic political
consultant, said
Thompson has a
good shot to win it
all.
His chances are
very good. Hes in
the running for a
run-off, said Artz.
Hes battling [New
York City Public
Advocate] Bill de
Blasio for the sec-
ond spot. He will do well in the
Orthodox community. They know
him and like him.
Artz said Jewish voters find his
candidacy attractive because he
comes across as a rational and
thoughtful man.It means they feel they have
access to him, and hes reason-
able to deal with, said Artz.
Artz was also asked by a
reporter whether Thompson can
earn black voter support.
The question is not whether
they will turn out for him, said
Artz, [but whether] they will turn
out for him in the numbers he
needs. I believe that, in the end,
the African American community
and the Caribbean community
will turn out for him.
Anthony Weiner, who initially
lied about his sexting being a
possible computer-hacking issue
when the story first broke, is seen
by his political rivals as a diver-
sion siphoning away valuable
voters.
Hes a diversion from the seri-
ous issues, said Thompson, who
is calling for Weiner to pull the
plug on his race for mayor.
With the Weiner effect on the
mayors race, Thompson told this
newspaper that hes never had an
inappropriate relationship on or
off line. The twice-divorced
Thompson is currently married to
Elsie McCabe Thompson.
ABrooklyn political insiderwho wanted to remainanonymous said Thompson
would be good for Brooklyn and
great for New York as mayor.
Hes come up the right way.
He had no silver spoon. He went
to public schools and he grew up
in the streets of New York, saidthe political insider. There was
no easy path. Billy has worked
for the community. He knows
the issues of Brooklyn develop-
ment, like Starrett City.
He added, Brooklyn is a desir-
able place. I think it
has a lot to do with
the work of people
like Bill Thompson
and Howard Golden.
Thompson said he
was on vacation in
the south of France
when Brooklyn
Borough President
Howard Golden sum-
moned him back
home to work as a
peacemaker in the
aftermath of tension-
filled days of the
Crown Heights riots.
Howard called me
and said, Crown
Heights is burning,
recalled Thompson. Increased
tension happened because people
misunderstood people.
Thompson said he worked as a
foot soldier fostering dialogue
and communication on the
streets of Crown Heightsbetween black and Jewish
neighbors. Working to break-
down the tension and distrust in
the community on both sides of
the fence was natural for
Thompson, who grew up watch-
ing his father, Judge William C.
Thompson Sr., work as a state
legislator on behalf of all groups
of people living in central
Brooklyn.
Politics is clearly part ofThompsons DNA.Last weekend, Thompson visit-
ed The Hampton Synagogue in
Westhampton Beach. Years ago,
village officials said Jews who
were holding prayer services
above a store in Westhampton
Beach were violating village
zoning codes. The village
obtained a court order upholding
its position. Judge Thompson,
then a member of the Appellate
Court, ruled the services were
legal and could continue. Rabbi
Marc Schneier, spiritual leader
of The Hampton Synagogue, cel-
ebrated the ruling during the
visit.
When Thompson was asked
who are his political heroes, he
quickly replied, My father.
The way he has reached out to
people across different neighbor-
hoods he worked with people,
said the proud son.
Thompson, the grandson of
immigrants, is hoping to take the
mayoral baton and lead a new
generation of New Yorkers in
City Hall. He touted his recent
24-hour campaign marathon,
which resulted in him
ing the city at a br
pace.
There is nothing l
for mayor. The scrutin
attention and the cam
said Thompson. You
have to always be on.
JEWISHWORLD AUGUST 16-22, 2
I want to
make the city
better than
when I found
it. Eight yearsdown the
road, I want
people to say
I was fighting
for them.
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