Shadow Campaign Begins For Fidler’s Council Seat

State Sen. Carl Kruger will not stand trial on bribery charges until January. Brooklyn City Councilman Lew Fidler, Kruger’s likely replacement, has not formally declared his candidacy for the south Brooklyn Senate seat.

But despite all the moving parts and open questions, ambitious Brooklyn politicians have already begun to jockey for Fidler’s Council seat, covering parts of southern Brooklyn including Canarsie, Mill Basin and Sheepshead Bay.

As of now, the frontrunner seems to be former Assemblyman Frank Seddio, according to three Brooklyn political sources.

“He’s definitely wants to run,” said one Brooklyn official.

Seddio, a longtime Kruger ally who has defended the senator since his indictment on federal bribery charges, has approached Brooklyn Democratic officials about a run, sources say. He would likely have grassroots support as both a district leader and as president of the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club.

Seddio has also been mentioned as an eventual possible replacement for Brooklyn Democratic leader Vito Lopez, and would likely be a strong contender for the county party’s support. But Seddio also brings his share of baggage: he resigned after a short stint as a surrogate court judge over news reports that he had violated court rules by giving $31,000 in campaign money to political allies and the Thomas Jefferson club.

Another possible candidate for Fidler’s seat is Mercedes Narcisse, a constituent representative for Senate Minority Leader John Sampson, who is also the former president of the 41st Assembly District Democratic Club.

Narcisse, a Haitian immigrant, would have a strong base in the Canarsie section of the district. She has already opened a 2013 campaign account, and has $21,000 in campaign cash from an aborted 2009 run preceding the term-limits extension that allowed Fidler to run for a third term.

Neither Narcisse or Seddio returned requests for comment. Fidler, who has raised $327,000 to run for an unspecified state office, has also been reluctant to discuss his under-the-radar campaign for Kruger’s Senate seat, telling City Hall recently that he is trying to have “as much respect for the senator and the Constitution as is appropriate.”

The timing of an election for Fidler’s Council seat remains unclear. If Kruger is convicted or cuts a deal with federal prosecutors, then a nonpartisan special election would be held for Fidler’s Council seat. If Kruger is acquitted, Fidler could still run a primary challenge against Kruger, or could run if Kruger does not seek re-election. Regardless, the seat will open up in 2013 because Fidler will be term-limited out of office.

Kruger, who denies any wrongdoing, has repeatedly said he intends to stay in office.

One Brooklyn political consultant said Seddio would seem to be a strong contender for Fidler’s seat.

“I would assume for now that he has the inside track,” the consultant said.