Fully realizing the uphill climb she has in front of her, Canarsie activist Mercedes Narcisse officially announced her run for City Council last week.
As she opened her campaign headquarters located in the back of her medical supply store on Avenue L, Narcisse said that she intends to win the seat for the 46th Councilmanic district. Term limits are forcing City Councilmember Lew Fidler to not seek re-election.
But Narcisse is far from the favorite candidate even this early in the race, political watchdogs note.
Former Assemblymem-ber and Surrogate Court Judge Frank Seddio is reportedly thinking about running for the same seat. If he does, he is expected to receive the support of legislators and political clubs from all over the district, some say.
In fact, Seddio was named the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club’s “candidate” for the 46th Councilmanic District during a recent dinner dance, even though he hasn’t announced his intention to run.
“I’m the underdog,” said Narcisse, who is currently the president of both the 41st Assembly District’s Democratic Club and the Avenue L Merchants’ Association. “But that’s not going to stop me, because even back in the Bible, underdogs had a way of winning. Just look at David.”
“I’m David,” Narcisse said proudly, adding that she is “looking forward to work on behalf of my community.”
“It’s something I feel deeply about,” she said. “I’m willing to do everything it takes to benefit our communities, but I know that you have to take baby steps. You have to crawl before you run.”
The 46th Councilmanic District covers Canarsie, Bergen Beach, Georgetowne, Starrett City, Flatlands, Futurama, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Mill Island, Gerritsen Beach and parts of Madison and Sheepshead Bay.
While he calls Narcisse a “devoted community activist,” Bernard Catcher, the Democratic District Leader for the 59th Assembly District, said he is supporting Seddio, who he said is “more involved in all parts of the district.”
