Bob Cohen, a city landlord and Republican candidate running for State Senate in Westchester County, can be referred to as a “slumlord,” the Westchester Fair Campaign Practices Committee ruled.
According to the New York Daily News, Cohen filed a complaint with the committee regarding his Democratic opponent, George Latimer’s, use of the S–word in his campaign’s literature. However, because Cohen has been sued for allowing gambling and drugs inside his city buildings, and because his Manhattan tenants have complained of poor conditions, the committee saw the “slumlord” categorization as legitimate.
“Based upon the totality of the information and documentation submitted, the Committee felt that there is sufficient documentation for the use of the word ‘slumlord.'”
However, a Cohen spokesperson lambasted the committee’s decision, calling it “ridiculous.” “Bob Cohen took buildings that were literally falling apart and turned them into safe, clean homes for hundreds of New York families,” he told the Daily News.
As The Real Deal reported in this month’s issue, the race between Cohen and Latimer is one of the closest and most-watched races in New York state. [NYDN]