Basil Smikle kicked off his “insurgent” campaign yesterday to unseat Harlem state Sen. Bill Perkins in the Democratic primary — vowing to be “unbought and unbossed,” and slamming the incumbent as a divisive figure.
“We’re here today because Albany seems a lot less noble these days. We’re here because we all want the best opportunities for parents and families but they seem too few and too far between,” Smikle (pronounced Smykel) said outside Londel’s restaurant.
“I’m running for parents. I’m running for children. I’m running for progress.”
Smikle blasted Perkins for dropping the ball on education by opposing parents’ wishes to expand charter schools. Perkins voted against legislation earlier this month to lift the cap on charters, arguing they lack oversight.
Smikle said he would have voted for the pro-charter bill.
“My opponent has not stood up for parents and children at all. Instead, he’s pitted neighbor against neighbor, parent against parent, new residents against old,” Smikle said.
“Twice, when this community most needed his help and support, he voted against receiving $700 million in federal funding. The days of playing both ends against the middle are over. We must stand for something nobler and more sincere.”
Smikle, who was joined by his dad, Basil Sr., at his press conference, noted that his mom, Faith, is a veteran public-school teacher and a member of the teachers union. He said he volunteers at her school.
If elected senator, he emphasized he would fight to improve education for all students, whether they are enrolled in traditional public school or charters.
“It’s not about adults playing politics. It’s about the achievement of the children in those classrooms. And wherever it works, I’ll be supportive,” Smikle said.
Parents in attendance gave Smikle an A for his performance.
Daniel Clark, whose son attends Democracy Prep charter school, said, “This race is a referendum on Perkins. He’s made a lot of enemies. People who are not wealthy want decent educa tional options for their kids.”
Perkins had no immediate com ment. A spokes woman said the senator was busy in a series of meetings yesterday involving housing and youth issues.
Smikle, 38, a po litical consultant who worked on Mayor Bloomberg’s re-election campaign, and former aide to Hillary Clinton and the Bill Clinton Foundation, also teaches at City University and Columbia. He was joined by two of his former college students.
He relished being the insurgent, anticipating that much of Harlem’s political establishment and labor leaders will back Perkins.
“I’m going to ask everybody for their support. If they don’t help me, I’m going to keep going. I’m unbought and unbossed,” he said, quoting former Brooklyn Rep. Shirley Chisholm.