Plainly, Inez Dickens has gotten the message: In New York politics, this is the Year of Second Chances.
If Eliot Spitzer can run for comptroller even after a call-girl scandal and Anthony Weiner can run for mayor after tweeting photos of his private parts, isn’t there room for the 6-foot, 7-inch aide who nearly brought down the administration of then-Gov. David Paterson when he was arrested for domestic violence against his then-girlfriend?
Councilwoman Dickens apparently thinks so. So she’s brought aboard David Johnson to help her as she faces a tough primary challenge from former Charlie Rangel staffer Vince Morgan.
Maybe Dickens thinks she’s in no position to judge. As The Post has reported, she owes $265,000 in unpaid fines and code violations for properties that she and her family own. In any case, Johnson seems to be handling some of Dickens’ logistics and representing her at community events.
If Dickens wins, she may well end up succeeding Chris Quinn as speaker. Not a bad friend for a man seeking a little political redemption.