Simcha Felder Hires Again With an Eye on Comptroller Race

Councilman and all-but-announced city comptroller candidate Simcha Felder of Brooklyn hired another staffer: Eric Kuo, who will be the new new press person.

Kuo previously did press for Councilman Vincent Gentile, a Democrat in the conservative-leaning Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn (the same area that produced Democratic operatives George Fontas, Scott Gastel and Sam Cooper). He also worked for Councilman Oliver Koppell in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. (There are probably some notable operatives from there too, but I'll need some help on that one.)

Felder’s most recent hire before Kuo was an operative with experience in Queens, which happens to be home to three likely opponents: Council members Melinda Katz, David Weprin and John Liu. Kuo's hire, if we feel like parsing the significance, not only gives Felder access to someone with experience in yet another part of the city but may help him, around campaign season, to appeal to any Chinese-American media and voters that aren't locked down by possible candidate Liu. (Kuo told me in a laudibly precise email that he can speak enough Chinese to hold basic conversations but not enough to put out statements.)

Also, Kuo should help with the ultimate Frisbee vote.

Other Democratic officials eyeing a run for comptroller are Assemblyman James Brennan of Brooklyn, and possibly Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion (if he doesn't run for mayor), David Yassky, who is term-limited, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (who could join a crowded field and run for an open citywide seat in 2009, or run against a first-term incumbent in 2013 when he's term-limited from his office).

Let me know if I'm missing anyone.