Local politics is about to get a little more interesting. There’s a new political club challenging the long-established Truman Democratic Club on the Lower East Side.
Social media channels recently popped up for “Grand Street Democrats.” Two well-known neighborhood residents, Lee Berman and Caroline Laskow, started the new group to take on the Truman Club’s district leaders in the next election cycle.
Berman is on the board of directors of the East River Cooperative and serves as a state committeeman. Laskow is a filmmaker, author (Soup Club Cookbook) and resident of the Seward Park co-operative.
They’ll eventually be running against Karen Blatt and Jacob Goldman, who are currently district leaders in the 65th Assembly District (Part A). The Truman Club is closely associated with former Assemblyman Sheldon Silver, who is now appealing his conviction on federal corruption charges. Judy Rapfogel, Silver’s former chief of staff, is still very much a mover-and-a-shaker within the club.
On their website, Berman and Laskow say it’s time for a change. They believe the local Democratic club should be at the forefront of fighting Donald Trump’s agenda. You can read their pitch here.
District leaders help run local elections, act as ambassadors between constituents and elected officials and serve as community leaders.
