Henry: Running Against Sheldon Silver Is 'Easy'
The second part of yesterday’s DFNYC debate was for the Assembly race in Sheldon Silver's district, where the speaker faces two challengers: attorney Luke Henry and community organizer Paul Newell.
In this clip they both field the same question: What’s it like running against a political powerhouse?
Henry said, “It’s easy. He doesn’t show up.” (So far, anyway.)
“I love it,” Newell said when it was his turn. “Sheldon Silver is a very powerful man in Albany. I am not convinced how powerful he is in our communities.”
Silver had previously said, through a campaign spokesman, that he won't participate in debates or candidates' forums until "we know who all the candidates will be."


















Yesterday's forum was great but it's too bad Silver didn't have the decency to show up and discuss the issues with his challengers. They both know the issues really well and I was pretty impressed. I thought Luke's answer to this question was pretty funny and effective because he managed to highlight the fact that Silver is dodging his opponents.
Running for office is easy. Getting on the ballot is hard.
To the first commentor is your name luke or paul?
I live in Silver's district and find his being a fundamentalist Jew very disturbing. But on the other hand he has never let his religion get in the way of a very progressive voting and leadership record. Normally, I would oppose him but if we got a novice first term Assembly member, the community would suffer.
That made me laugh. That's all I need, so team Henry.
We will see if Silver's opponents get on the ballot. Next we will see how they will do in terms of GOTV. Let's face it, even if the opponents get on the ballot, the chances of winning are pretty low. Silver has done a great job for the Lower Eastside.
As for Sterling, Silver is not in his first term and has represented the area for many years before your pampered self decided it was hip enough and "safe" enough to move south. Or maybe you live in Battery Park, which would not exist either if not for Silver. So take your anti-jewish vote (and yourself) else where.
Sheldon Silver has been a disgrace to his district and to the city of New York. Congestion pricing would have been one of the best things to ever happen to New York, and he blocked it. I will donate to anyone who runs against Sheldon.
fellas, one of you has to drop out. silver's bought and paid for 40% of the district; there ain't enough left to go around for 2. flip a coin, or the citizens will continue to suffer.
I actually thought it was fairly useful that there were two of them were at the debate-- it kept it from being a one-person farce.
Sheldon Silver is about money (from any source), power and control NOT the people. Silver has opposed legislation to crack down on illegal gun runners, blocked an investigation of his attorney who was accused, and later convicted, of rape, opposed major economic development projects which would created jobs/tax revenue, and raised State taxes on low and middle income people. POWER TO THE PEOPLE-THROW THE BUM OUT.