Flatbush's Top City Council Candidates To Talk Gender Politics

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN -- The five frontrunners in a Flatbush special election will gather Tuesday night to discuss the characteristic that separates them from nearly 80% of current City Council members: being a woman.

Amplify Her, a political organization that addresses women’s underrepresentation in New York City’s elected offices, will host a candidate forum for the lead candidates running to represent Brooklyn's District 45, all of whom happen to be women.

Candidates Monique Chandler-Waterman, Farah Louis, Jovia Radix, Xamayla Rose, and Adina Sash will gather at the forum at the New Women Space at 188 Woodpoint Road in Williamsburg, organizers announced.

Chandler-Waterman, a community activist and former public school teacher, is considered a favorite for the special election on May 14 with a recent endorsement from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, whose seat she hopes to claim.

The winner will represent Flatbush in City Council until 2020 and yet another election will be held in November, according to the proclamation.

This is one of few City Council elections in New York City's history that has women claiming the top spots. Only 11 out of 51 City Council Districts are represented by women, down from the high of 18 representatives in 2009.

The forum, slated to begin at 6:30 p.m., will allow the five candidates to talk gender politics and the leading concerns facing Flatbush, organizers said.

Those interested in attending can RSVP on the Amplify Her website and submit questions for the moderator to ask.