Brooklyn, NY - Most Watched 'Race' War For Congressional Seat

Brooklyn, NY - One of the political season's most-watched contests is the battle for a congressional seat in central Brooklyn that has exploded into a racially charged feud over the presence of the lone white candidate, City Councilman David Yassky (D-Brooklyn).

The Rev. Al Sharpton and several other black leaders have been rallying the black community to ensure the seat being vacated by longtime Rep. Major Owens, of the 11th District, remains in African-American hands. "This is not an anti-white drive," Sharpton said at the Black Brooklyn Empowerment Convention. "But [the seat] has to reflect the citizens of this district."

The biggest problem in the headlines has been Yassky, who moved into the district to run and has far outpaced his rivals in fund-raising.

Yassky says he is not budging from the race. "For what it's worth, my candidacy's been endorsed by a number of real community leaders in every part of the district."

The three black candidates are state Sen. Carl Andrews, Councilwoman Yvette Clarke and Owens' son, Chris - none of whom have directly called on Yassky to quit.
Yassky said he's stumping at subway stations in East Flatbush and Brownsville, and spending time talking about issues such as housing and asthma.

Chris Owens called Yassky's move "incredibly disrespectful."

Andrews, who is slated to get endorsed by his old boss, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, this week, said race is not the main factor. "If anyone wants to vote against David Yassky there are many other reasons to vote against him, the color of skin is not one of them," he said.