Dawn Smalls Could Run Against Rep. Carolyn Maloney: Report

EAST VILLAGE, NY — Former public advocate candidate Dawn Smalls is considering a run against Rep. Carolyn Maloney in the 12th congressional district, BKLYNER reported.

Sources told BKLNYER Smalls is considering running for Congress and has taken meetings with political stakeholders.

Smalls, an attorney and former Obama administration staffer, won sixth out of 17 candidates in February's special election for the city's public advocates. She won more than 16,000 votes.

Smalls, 41, lives in Union Square, BKLYNER reported. She is a partner at the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner and launched her political career back in the 1990s as an assistant to White House Chief of Staff John Podesta. She worked on both former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's and former President Barack Obama's presidential campaigns in 2008.

Smalls is among three possible opponents to Maloney in the 12th congressional district — which covers much of Manhattan's East side, Greenpoint, Long Island City and Astoria.

Lauren Ashcraft, a first-time candidate, community activist and JPMorgan project manager, has formally filed with the Federal Election Commission to run in the 2020 primary.

Suraj Patel, 34, who ran against Maloney last year, has previously told Patch he is also considering another run. Patel, a New York University professor and former Barack Obama campaign staffer, dealt with criticism for a campaign strategy using Tinder, but ran the most competitive primary Maloney has faced since 2010 winning about 41% of the vote.

A spokesperson for Maloney's campaign previously said in a statement: "Competition is good and a strong sign of the activism and energy in the Democratic Party right now."

Smalls and a spokesperson for Smalls did not immediately respond to comment.

For the full BKLYNER report, click here.