Dr. Tom Stevens, who was state chair of the Pennsylvania Libertarian Party during 2012 even though he was a New York state resident, has decided to accept the Republican Party nomination for New York City Public Advocate, if he gets on the ballot. New York city this year elects three partisan citywide offices: Mayor, Comptroller, and Public Advocate. Petitions were submitted for Stevens to appear on the Republican primary ballot for Public Advocate. No petition was submitted for any other Republican candidate, so obviously if Stevens gets on the primary ballot, he will be nominated.
His petition needs 3,750 valid signatures of registered Republicans. The petition submitted for Stevens, which was circulated by persons who did not notify Stevens that the petition was circulating, has 5,200 signatures. A challenge to the validity of his petition has been filed, so it is impossible to know at this point whether the petition will be upheld.
Well, that’s one interesting way to get nominated.
Forgive my ignorance, but what does a public advocate do exactly?
“Public Advocate” is the new name of an office that, 20 years ago or so, was called “President of the City Council.” Generally the “Public Advocate” is considered the ombudsman for the people of New York city. If the Mayor is too preoccupied, in theory citizens can contact the Public Advocate to suggest better ideas for New York city government.
The best idea for NYC? Abolish the city government. I believe the five boroughs are also counties, so each county could allow areas within their respective jurisdictions incorporate (or not). That would bring municipal government far closer to the individual voter.
Jeff Daiell
I think that would create new challenges with coordination of services such as the police, fire department, education, etc. I also think that would lead to the creation of more government departments and agencies, in the long run.
You must be from the stupid and ignorant part of the USA, which includes everything not in NYC.
This was meant as a reply to Jeff.
Nobody in NYC is named Jeff.