Kerpen to challenge incumbent Marshall for Queens Borough Prez

March 7, 5:26 PMNY Government ExaminerMichael A. Harris

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PHOTO: MICHAEL A. HARRIS/EXAMINER

Queens community activist Dave Kerpen will challenge incumbent Borough President Helen Marshall for the Democratic Party’s nomination for that office, the Examiner has learned.  Addressing a packed room of supporters in a Queens diner this morning, Kerpen officially announced that he has formed an exploratory committee for “a potential run,” bringing supporters to their feet in applause.  Sources close to Kerpen indicated that he will in fact formally enter the race, possibly as early as next week.

Kerpen, the founder and CEO of Kbuzz, a small Queens marketing firm focused on the use of new media, primarily Web 2.0 and social networking, had been planning to run for the City Council seat being vacated by David Weprin, who is running for New York City comptroller, but a couple of months ago told his Facebook group to expect a “huge announcement about his upcoming political ambitions.”  Just a couple of weeks ago, he began sending out cryptic Facebook messages indicating that he had plans to seek political office, but would not be running for City Council.

As supporters crammed into the room today, many were still mystified as to what Kerpen was going to announce.  “Mayor?,” asked one person.  Within minutes any notions of that were gone as signs indicating that it was Queens Borough President began to go up on the walls.

Kerpen told me that he wasn’t surprised, because the incumbent’s “inactivity” likely made many voters forget that there was a Queens Borough President, something vowed to change if elected.  He articulated a platform that would change the role of the Queens Borough President from "someone who gets chauffered around in an expensive car to cut ribbons" to one that would serve more as an ombudsman "working to better the lives of the 2.5 million residents of Queens County."

Kerpen discussed an array of issues in his 14 and a half minute speech, ranging from forclosures and the economy to healthcare and education to small businesses and technology.  Kerpen charged that his would be opponent was part of a long string of decades of corruption and cronyism that don't really represent the people's best interests.  

Just 14 minutes after Kerpen opened his campaign Facebook page for comments on his potential BP run, the first comment was posted by Evan J. Burr, who wrote, "Queens needs Kerpen! You gotta do it..."

He concluded his speech by asking supporters gathered to do something that proves we are truly living in a generation of wireless technology.  Rather than ruin it by trying to describe it, I'm using modern technology (YouTube) below to let you see it for yourself.

A spokesperson for Marshall could not immediately be reached for comment on Kerpen's announcement.

To date, Kerpen is the first candidate to emerge as a primary challenger to an incumbent Borough President, in the four counties in which the office is currently held.  The office of the Bronx Borough President is currently vacant, following the March 1st resignation of Adolfo Carrión, Jr. to serve as White House Director of Urban Affairs.