Council member Corey Johnson appears poised to become the next City Council Speaker, which could make some people in the real estate industry very happy.
Johnson received more than $63,000 in campaign contributions this election cycle from the real estate industry, with donations coming from officials at Related Companies, DDG Partners and the Property Markets Group, according to Crain’s. He amassed a total of $505,818 this cycle.
Kevin Maloney, Richard Lam and Franklin Kaiman from PMG each gave Johnson the maximum $2,750 contribution. Related Companies kicked in almost $10,000, and DDG Partners gave more than $5,000. The Brodsky Group’s Daniel Brodsky and Vornado Realty Trust’s Steve Roth each donated to Johnson’s campaign as well. Ira Drukier of BD Hotels and Chelsea Hotel owner Edward Scheetz also donated the maximum individual contributions.
Johnson has won the endorsement of the Hotel Trades Council and courted Democratic Party bosses from the Bronx and Queens, lining him up as the likely successor to Melissa Mark-Viverito, who is term-limited.
The Real Deal looked at which City Council candidates in open races were receiving the most donations from the real estate industry this summer. [Crain’s] – Eddie Small