{"id":534254,"date":"2023-01-03T01:54:47","date_gmt":"2023-01-02T22:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/democrats-set-to-bar-lester-chang-taking-nyc-seat\/"},"modified":"2023-01-03T01:54:47","modified_gmt":"2023-01-02T22:54:47","slug":"democrats-set-to-bar-lester-chang-taking-nyc-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/democrats-set-to-bar-lester-chang-taking-nyc-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"#Democrats set to bar Lester Chang taking NYC seat"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3df4743de1e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3df4743de1e\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/democrats-set-to-bar-lester-chang-taking-nyc-seat\/#%E2%80%9CDemocrats_set_to_bar_Lester_Chang_taking_NYC_seat%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Democrats set to bar Lester Chang taking NYC seat&#8221;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CDemocrats_set_to_bar_Lester_Chang_taking_NYC_seat%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Democrats set to bar Lester Chang taking NYC seat&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n        <\/aside>\n<p>Democrats in the state Assembly are set to block Republican Assemblyman-elect Lester Chang from being seated this week after leadership\u2019s investigative report concluded he was only a \u201cvisitor\u201d to the Brooklyn district from which he was elected.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats control the Assembly and will discuss the politically explosive issue of whether not to seat the election-winning Chang during a private noon conference on Tuesday, sources said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s moving in the direction of him not being seated,\u201d an Assembly Democratic source said.  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think [Assembly Speaker] Carl Heastie would bring\u00a0the issue to the full Democratic conference if it wasn\u2019t moving in that direction.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>The residency snafu hinges on Chang allegedly failing to meet the 12-month residency requirement during a redistricting year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is significant that Lester Chang voted in New York County in the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General<\/a> Election on<br \/>November 2, 2021 and there is not a single attendant surrounding circumstance (voter<br \/>registration, financial payments, Department of Motor Vehicle records, military call up documents, credit card statements, independent bank account records, political contribution records) that reflects Mr. Chang\u2019s designated residence in Kings County for the period commencing on November 7 [2021],\u201d wrote Stanley Schlein, a Bronx-based lawyer and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.villagevoice.com\/2008\/10\/07\/rival-bronx-dem-leaders-take-battle-to-court\/\">close pal of <\/a>Heastie, in his Dec. 29 report as special counsel to  the Assembly Judiciary Committee. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-83.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Lester Chang.\" class=\"wp-image-25213414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-83.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-83.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-83.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Brooklyn Assemblyman-elect Lester Chang, testifies before the Assembly Judiciary Committee in December.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Hans Pennink<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cAt most, it can be stated that Mr. Chang\u2019s nexus to the Kings County address during the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>licable time period was one of a visitor,\u201d added Schlein. <\/p>\n<p>The Assembly\u2019s first day for the 2023 legislative session is Wednesday, and Chang\u2019s fate could be formally taken up then. <\/p>\n<p>Chang is the first Asian-American elected to office in Brooklyn and Democrats could face a backlash if they refuse to seat him. There is a growing Asian population in the 49th Assembly district that includes Sunset Park, Bensonhurst, Borough Park and Dyker Heights. <\/p>\n<p>During a redistricting year, a candidate for legislative office must live in the county for the office he or she is seeking for at least a year. During a normal election year, a candidate must reside within the Assembly district for a year.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-84.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Lester Chang.\" class=\"wp-image-25213448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-84.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-84.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-84.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>A report by the special counsel of the Democratic-run Assembly Judiciary Committee concludes Chang does not meet the residency requirement to be seated.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Hans Pennink<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The controversy centers on Chang \u2014 who defeated\u00a0entrenched veteran\u00a0Democratic Assemblyman Peter Abbate in the 49th AD in southern Brooklyn \u2014 while maintaining a Manhattan residence and having virtually all his bills and official documentation listing that address.  <\/p>\n<p>He also voted in 2021 from his Manhattan address. <\/p>\n<p>The full Schlein report also included dissenting or counter legal opinions from Chang\u2019s lawyers Hugh Mo and John Ciampoli and the ranking Republicans on the Assembly Judiciary Committee, who say Chang has shown evidence via affidavits from family members and others that he was residing in Midwood, Brooklyn, his childhood family home, for at least a year. <\/p>\n<p>Chang\u2019s lawyers also said the burden was on Chang\u2019s accusers to prove that he did not live in Brooklyn, and that they failed to do so. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Committee\u2019s evidence fails to prove by clear and convincing evidence that Chang\u2019s electoral residency was not Brooklyn during the `relevant period.\u2019  All of the evidence presented bearing Chang\u2019s Manhattan address shows nothing more than what is permissible for a candidate, or anyone else, who has multiple addresses and residences but only one electoral residency. That person is Assemblyman-Elect Chang \u2013 he is from Brooklyn, New York. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cChang is a Brooklynite,\u201d Mo and Ciampoli said. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-85.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Lester Chang.\" class=\"wp-image-25213468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-85.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-85.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-230102-85.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Chang defeated 36-year Democratic incumbent Peter Abbate in the race for the 49th Assembly District in southern Brooklyn.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Retired naval reservist Chang testified before the Assembly Judiciary Committee last month, saying he moved back to Midwood to care for his ailing mother after his wife died of cancer in 2019 while they resided in Manhattan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur American rule of law and fundamental precepts of fairness dictate that this Committee close its proceedings and make no adverse findings as to Chang\u2019s Brooklyn residence. Chang must be seated on January 4, 2023 to represent the 49th Assembly District and the people who voted for and elected him.,\u201d Chang\u2019s lawyers said.<\/p>\n<p>If Chang is not seated, Gov. Kathy Hochul will call for a special\u00a0election for the 49th AD, likely in mid-February, which was done to fill two vacant Assembly vacancies last year. <\/p>\n<p>Then there could be another legal fight on whether Chang now meets the residency requirement to run again in a special election. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe goal posts are moving on wheels,\u201d said Chang\u2019s lawyer Ciampoli. <\/p>\n<p>Ciampoli said it was unclear whether the special election would be held based on extending the residency rules for a redistricting year where one\u00a0just has to live in the country, or based on living in the Assembly district for one year using redrawn Assembly district lines. <\/p>\n<p>Assembly Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Lavine (D-Nassau) said Monday the panel\u2019s investigative work on Chang was completed but declined comment as to when the Democrats or the full chamber would act on whether to seat or block Chang.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2023\/01\/02\/democrats-set-to-bar-lester-chang-taking-nyc-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Democrats set to bar Lester Chang taking NYC seat&#8221; Democrats in the state Assembly are set to block Republican Assemblyman-elect Lester Chang from being seated this week after leadership\u2019s investigative report concluded he was only a \u201cvisitor\u201d to the Brooklyn district from which he was elected. Democrats control the Assembly and will discuss the politically&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":534255,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/lester-chang-comp.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[137901,71239,4950,82358,137061,71972],"class_list":["post-534254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-1-2-23","tag-asian-american","tag-brooklyn","tag-carl-heastie","tag-lester-chang","tag-new-york-state-assembly"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/534254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=534254"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/534254\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/534255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=534254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=534254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=534254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}