Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito is sworn in for a third term

A handful of backroom power players in city and state politics turned out for Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito swearing-in ceremony this afternoon–including many of the people who soon will be lobbying the City Council on behalf of clients with interest before the city.

Ms. Mark-Viverito, the front-runner to become the next speaker of the City Council, was sworn in for her third term in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx today, where she was greeted by throngs of supporters at a cramped public housing community room. Beyond the elected officials and dozens of boosters from her East Harlem base, she was joined by a number of notable lobbyists and political consultants.

“It’s a long drive from Boro Park,” quipped Ezra Friedlander, the founder of the Friedlander Group, whose organization has represented Congressman Jerry Nadler and various influential Orthodox Jewish groups. He told Politicker Ms. Mark-Viverito had always been supportive of his initiatives to combat autism.

Several other lobbyists and consultants from the Orthodox Jewish community, to which Ms. Mark-Viverito has few existing ties, also journeyed to the south Bronx for her swearing in. Yoel Lefkowitz, a consultant on Republican John Catsimatidis’s mayoral bid, was there, as was Joel Schnur, a longtime lobbyist for a wide range of corporations and nonprofits.

Asked why he had come so far north for Ms. Mark-Viverito’s swearing in, Mr. Leftkowitz smiled and offered that he was simply “a political junkie.” Mr. Schnur was more blunt: “I’m a lobbyist,” he said.

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