In an interview with YWN this past Friday, NYC Councilman Simcha Felder refused to comment regarding his future plans, but did say that the news would become public shortly. Although nothing is yet confirmed, the NY Sun is reporting the following: 

The election contest for the city comptroller’s office is a little less crowded with the news that Council Member Simcha Felder will challenge state Senator Kevin Parker for his seat.

According to a source, Mr. Felder, who was regarded as a likely candidate for comptroller in 2009, is choosing instead to run against Mr. Parker, the Senate’s Democratic minority whip, in this year’s primary. Messrs. Felder and Parker each represent parts of Brooklyn.

The decision affects the race for city comptroller, for which there is a glut of potential candidates due to the large number of term-limited council members. Likely comptroller candidates in 2009 include council members David Yassky of Brooklyn, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2006, Melinda Katz of Queens, who recently gave birth to her first child, and David Weprin of Queens, the chairman of the council’s finance committee. Council Member John Liu of Queens is another possible contender, though he is said be considering a run for public advocate as well.

(NY Sun / YWN Desk)