A Nussbaum for a Queens Council Seat

Here’s an invitation for the March 24 campaign kick-off event for Dale Nussbaum, who is running for the City Council seat currently occupied by term-limited David Weprin.

Nussbaum doesn’t have a campaign committee registered with the city Campaign Finance Board, but her candidacy is interesting for a few reasons.

First, Nussbaum’s husband Michael is the executive vice president and associate publisher of the Queens Tribune (my old employer), which will presumably cover the race closely. Michael Nussbaum and the newspaper have been intimately involved in the local political scene for years, including helping elect Tom White to the City Council.

Second is Dale Nussbaum’s resume, which she alludes to on the invitation by noting that she worked as “Director of Community Assistance for the New York City Central Labor Council,” and as the “Chief of Staff in a New York State Legislative Office.”

The unnamed person she worked for, in both instances, is Brian McLaughlin, who recently pleaded guilty to various corruption charges.

UPDATE: The editor of the Queens Tribune, Michael Schenkler, emailed to say: "Azi, I have a lot of friends in and running for office. It doesn't affect our coverage. Mike won't be involved editorially and on opinion pieces, the relationship will be disclosed."