This was a race somewhat under my radar. I knew about it but didn't really take an active role. However, the club my wife is on the board of, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, endorsed Richard Montelione in this race, seeing it as a chance to defeat a less qualified candidate who happened to be tied to the increasingly discredited Vito Lopez machine.

Overall this was a race between two good candidates. However, the BETTER, more reform candidate won. That is far from always true in Vito Lopez's Brooklyn.

LAMBDA INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS OF BROOKLYN CELEBRATES THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VICTORY OF OPENLY GAY ATTORNEY RICHARD MONTELIONE

MONTELIONE WILL BE BROOKLYN'S FIRST OUT GAY JUDGE IN FOURTEEN YEARS

Civil Court races tend to be sleepy affairs, but not this one! The race for Civil Court in Brooklyn’s First Municipal District became heated at times, with some of the biggest names in Democratic politics weighing-in. In the end, Richard Montelione won the race, becoming the first openly gay candidate to be elected to public office in Brooklyn in over 14 years.  read more »

This comes from Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform:

Will you be an informed voter on September 13th, 2011?

Please join Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform
for a Civil Court Candidate Forum

with Cheryl Gonzales,
candidate for Civil Court judge

Friday August 26
7:00pm

LaunchPad
brooklynlaunchpad.org
721 Franklin Avenue
(between Park & Sterling)
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Voting shouldn’t be a spectator sport.  read more »

As the Democratic Primary draws near (Sept. 9th!) some more people are speaking out on the First Civil Court race in Brooklyn. I want to offer up the opinion of the Brooklyn Papers and Lambda Independent Democrats on Roger Adler and Devin Cohen (the two candidates running). Let me remind our readers of my standard disclaimer: one of the candidates, Devin Cohen, is a friend of mine, so I am biased.

That said, most people seem deeply disturbed by Roger Adler's anti-gay stands, ties to the Conservative Party, ties to jailed former machine head, Clarence Norman, and his public admission that he openly participates in a pay to play political system. By contrast people seem to like Devin Cohen for his even temperment and honesty. From what I can tell, Devin Cohen has practically all the endorsements while Roger Adler has more money.

The Brooklyn Paper has a pretty good rundown on both candidates. To quote:  read more »

This morning I was late to work. As I rushed to the Union St. R-train stop, what should I see but Roger Adler campaigning at this stop.

Now, remember my standard disclaimer: Roger Adler is running against my friend Devin Cohen for the 1st Civil Court seat in Brooklyn. So I come to the table admittedly biased.

Today I took a flyer from Adler's hired hand while I watched him cheerfully wish commuters a good weekend. Adler was quite personable, quite different from the more arrogant and cranky guy I met at the Independent Neighborhood Democrats endorsement meeting. I was happy to see him in a better mood and seeing him finally campaigning personally in the district.  read more »

Sorry for two Devin Cohen diaries in one day...but this one is an event coming up this Wed. August 6th. This is your chance to meet Devin in a casual setting. Here are the details:

In a year in which our political attention is largely focused on the race for president, we are writing to ask you to support the local efforts of our good friend Devin P. Cohen who is a candidate for Civil Court Judge in Brooklyn's district 1. This district includes much of downtown Brooklyn, an area in which many of you reside, play, work, and/or love.

Civil Court judges play a critical role in the life of New York City. Many of the litigants who appear in Civil Court can not afford lawyers and must represent themselves and some are also recent immigrants. It is imperative that the judges who hear their cases be patient, intelligent and dedicated. Devin is the right person for the job.

Devin is a good friend of ours and Dave and Saul have known him since they attended high school together. He is smart and hard-working and has been actively involved in the Democratic Party and progressive political causes in Brooklyn for most of his adult life. He will make an excellent judge.  read more »