Brooklyn City Councilman Launches 9th District Congressional Bid

CROWN HEIGHTS, NY — A fellow Democrat looks to challenge U. S. Rep. Yvette Clarke's seat covering much of Brooklyn. City Councilman Chaim Deutsch on Tuesday filed his candidacy, according to federal election records.

Deutsch, in a statement, highlighted his six years of experience representing city District 48, which includes Brighton Beach and other south Brooklyn neighborhoods. He promised to do the same if elected to the Ninth congressional district.

"I am proud to live and raise my family in NY-9, and I believe every one of my neighbors deserve a tireless advocate on their behalf," he wrote.

The Ninth congressional district includes the neighborhoods of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and Park Slope up north, as well as more southern neighborhoods encompassed by Deutsch's current city council district.

Deutsch's active social media accounts often highlight news within his district, such as when a 10-year-old died in a Flatbush crash or he spoke against anti-Arab graffiti at a Sheepshead Bay bus stop. He would be the only Orthodox Jew in Congress if elected, Forward reported.

Clarke in a statement directed focus on work done for Brooklynites and things that still needed to be done.

"I welcome the dialogue that will be sparked by all of the candidates on how to best represent NY-9 and look forward to having these conversations in the months to come," the statement read.

Clarke served on the City Council before being elected to represent the Ninth District in 2006. She narrowly won a Democratic primary challenge in 2018 from Adem Bunkeddeko, a Harvard Business grad.

Clarke's campaign focused on women's rights, health care equality, immigrants rights and improved housing in the district, while Bunkeddeko's slate of issues included tackling criminal justice reform, ending school segregation and gun control.

Bunkeddeko's tough challenge came during the same 2018 primary in which Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rattled the Democratic establishment by defeating Queens Democratic Party Chair Joe Crowley.

Bunkeddeko plans to run again.