Brooklyn Borough President Race: Robert Elstein Seeks Office

BROOKLYN, NY — As early voting begins in New York City, the stage is set for voters in Brooklyn to choose who will become their next borough president.

The June 22 primary will feature 12 Democratic candidates vying to replace Borough President Eric Adams, who is running to become New York City's next mayor.

Among them is Robert Elstein, a longtime public high school teacher who says Mayor Bill de Blasio's handling of schools during the coronavirus pandemic was the final straw in motivating him to run for office.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles. Elstein's responses are below:

Age (as of Election Day)

42

Position Sought

Brooklyn Borough President

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Neighborhood of residence

Flatbush

Family

I have two amazing children, aged 10 and 6!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

MA in Teaching from Brooklyn College; BA in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College

Occupation

High School Theater and English Teacher, 16 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

www.visionaryprogress.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

Hello, Brooklyn! I’m Robert Elstein (he/him). I’m 42-years-old. 16-year Public High School teacher at Edward R. Murrow High School. Public School dad of two amazing kids, ages 10 & 6. Proud UFT member. Artist. Poet. Director. Playwright. Community Organizer. Environmentalist. Feminist. Fifth-Generation Brooklynite. I’m here to initiate systematic change, by bringing all of us together, by creating Community Boards that reflect the community, by advocating for a Green New Deal for NYC & for the development of the RSSC, or, Reimagined Schools & Safety Commission. I aim to bring art to every block & have a goal to make Brooklyn the greatest community in the world to both live & work, for ALL of us!

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Corrupt politicians

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Personality! Creativity! Energy! Empathy! Sense of humor! Dedication to schools! And I’m not a tool of the real estate vultures.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

The schools were open for too long in March 2020. If I had the authority, I would have recommended schools be closed on March 1, potentially saving more than 10,000 lives.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

ELSTEIN’S BROOKLYN
FUN + RELEVANT SCHOOLS
SUNLIT PLAYGROUNDS
GREENER COMMUNITIES
DESEGREGATED SCHOOLS
CLEAN NEIGHBORHOODS
ART ON EVERY BLOCK
CREATIVITY
IMAGINATION
EMPOWERED IMMIGRANTS
THRIVING FAMILY BUSINESSES
EXPANDED QUALITY HEALTHCARE
NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING LAWS
CARBON-NEUTRAL NEW DEVELOPMENTS
COLLABORATION
MORE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
PUBLIC TOILETS
BOROUGH HALL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
ACCOUNTABLE, DEMILITARIZED POLICE
GREEN INDUSTRY
EQUITABILITY

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have educated more than 1,000 Brooklynites and watched them become successful adults. I’m also the founder of Beautify Brooklyn, a coalition of neighbors committed to environmental action and the arts!

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Read!

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Most of our elected politicians are not inherently corrupt, but they are operating through a system that is inherently corrupt. Let’s change the system.

Read More:

• Brooklyn Borough President Race: Where Things Stand