In a move that shifts the city’s political compass as far left as it’s been in decades, Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has struck a deal with Brooklyn Democrats to support his ultra-liberal pick for the next speaker of the City Council, sources said Wednesday.
If it holds, the agreement would give Melissa Mark-Viverito more than the 26 votes she needs to snag the second-most powerful post in local government.
The sources said de Blasio convinced Brooklyn Democratic leader Frank Seddio, a former cop, judge and assemblyman who united all 16 Brooklyn council members, to join forces with the council’s up-and-coming progressive caucus in backing Mark-Viverito.
In exchange, Brooklyn council members were assured they’d get plum committee chairmanships, insiders said.
“There will be a distinctly Brooklyn flavor in the council that has not been seen in the city since Abe Beame was mayor,” said one source.
The majority coalition was so sure it had locked down Mark-Viverito’s victory that names are already being bandied about over who was getting what.
The sources said David Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) was in line for Land Use chairman, while Julissa Ferreras (D-Queens) would likely helm the coveted Finance Committee.
Even Republican Eric Ulrich (Queens), who shocked colleagues by joining Mark-Viverito’s coalition, is set to be rewarded the chair of the Waterfronts Committee, the sources said. Ulrich denied that specific rewards had been offered.
“I had hoped to remain part of the voting block of three Republicans, but I received a call from the mayor-elect last night and he asked for my support and I gave it to him,” he said.
However, Bronx and Queens council members whose party leaders are still backing Manhattan council member Dan Garodnick for speaker insisted their opponents hadn’t secured all of Brooklyn.
The 51 council members will vote to elect the new speaker Jan. 8.
Speaking at an unrelated press conference in Brooklyn on Wednesday, de Blasio refused to admit his key role in the race.
“I will simply say I talked to some council members. I gave them my observations on what’s going on. They’re going to make their own decision,” he said.
One City Hall insider observed that if things stay as they are, the last hope for a check on liberal city government — outside of Albany — would be Comptroller Scott Stringer.
And he describes himself as a “progressive” as well.