Rafael Espinal To Run For Brooklyn Borough President

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — The City Council member that brought New York a night mayor and brought down its Footloose anti-dancing act will vie for the chance to be Brooklyn's president.

Rafael Espinal, the Democrat representing Brooklyn's 37th district, announced Wednesday evening he would run for Brooklyn Borough President in the upcoming 2021 election.

"Now more than ever, we need compassionate leadership with a vision that will improve the lives of the many," Espinal wrote in an email. "This is our campaign for our future."

Espinal is one of four candidates who has officially filed his Brooklyn Borough presidency campaign with the city's Campaign Finance Board. City Council members Robert Cornegy and Antonio Reynoso, and activist Bishop Lamor Miller Whitehead also filed their intention to run.

Espinal hopes to raise $250,000 by January to fund his campaign.

The Brooklyn city council member briefly outlined a campaign platform that he wrote will focus on Climate change, the affordability crisis and education reforms.

"Now is not the time for showboating, but for policy that will transform lives and bring people together," Espinal wrote. "I want us to shepherd that policy and keep Brooklyn the progressive leader of this country."