Howard Golden
Encyclopedia
Howard Golden was the long-time Democratic
borough president
of Brooklyn
serving from 1977 to December 31, 2001. Prior to becoming Brooklyn Borough President, Golden served as City Councilman for the Borough Park section of Brooklyn. Golden became the Kings County Democratic Leader following the resignation of Meade Esposito in 1982, a position he then held for 8 years.
Throughout his long career Golden held various party positions, including Chairman of the Kings County
Democratic County Committee, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Kings County Democratic Party, member of the New York State Democratic Committee
and member of the Democratic National Committee
. Even when Golden was considered one of the most powerful Democratic leaders in New York, he never forgot his roots and served as Democratic District Leader in Borough Park from 1966 until 1989 when the revision of the New York City Charter forced him to give up his district and county leadership positions. Golden's Roosevelt Democratic Club was one of the powerhouse Democratic organizations in New York City
for several decades and was the political home to numerous elected officials, commissioners and judges.
Golden was a genuine New York powerbroker
and many of his political proteges achieved higher office through his personal intervention. Golden's two Deputy Borough Presidents went on to higher office. Ed Towns
is now a U.S. Congressman representing the western portion of Brooklyn and William C. Thompson, Jr. was the New York City comptroller
. Thompson was the runner up in the race for Mayor of New York in the 2009 election. Golden's female counterpart as Borough Park Democratic District Leader, Evelyn J. Aquila, served as Vice Chair of the New York State Democratic Party from 1982 to 1992 and has been one of the two Democratic Commissioners of the New York State Board of Elections since 1992, roles usually reserved for Democratic county leaders or former elected officials. Golden's successor as Brooklyn Borough President is Marty Markowitz
, who had served for many years as the State Senator from Golden's home district. Golden had supported his Deputy, the late Jeannette Gadson, in that election.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
borough president
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
serving from 1977 to December 31, 2001. Prior to becoming Brooklyn Borough President, Golden served as City Councilman for the Borough Park section of Brooklyn. Golden became the Kings County Democratic Leader following the resignation of Meade Esposito in 1982, a position he then held for 8 years.
Throughout his long career Golden held various party positions, including Chairman of the Kings County
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
Democratic County Committee, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Kings County Democratic Party, member of the New York State Democratic Committee
New York State Democratic Committee
The New York State Democratic Committee runs the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of New York. Its headquarters are in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and it has an office in Albany.-List of chairpersons:...
and member of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
. Even when Golden was considered one of the most powerful Democratic leaders in New York, he never forgot his roots and served as Democratic District Leader in Borough Park from 1966 until 1989 when the revision of the New York City Charter forced him to give up his district and county leadership positions. Golden's Roosevelt Democratic Club was one of the powerhouse Democratic organizations in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for several decades and was the political home to numerous elected officials, commissioners and judges.
Golden was a genuine New York powerbroker
Power broker (term)
A power broker is a person who can influence people to vote towards a particular client in exchange for political or financial benefits. Power brokers can also negotiate deals with other power brokers to meet their aims....
and many of his political proteges achieved higher office through his personal intervention. Golden's two Deputy Borough Presidents went on to higher office. Ed Towns
Ed Towns
Edolphus "Ed" Towns is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1983, and the former Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
is now a U.S. Congressman representing the western portion of Brooklyn and William C. Thompson, Jr. was the New York City comptroller
Comptroller
A comptroller is a management level position responsible for supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting of an organization.In British government, the Comptroller General or Comptroller and Auditor General is in most countries the external auditor of the budget execution of the...
. Thompson was the runner up in the race for Mayor of New York in the 2009 election. Golden's female counterpart as Borough Park Democratic District Leader, Evelyn J. Aquila, served as Vice Chair of the New York State Democratic Party from 1982 to 1992 and has been one of the two Democratic Commissioners of the New York State Board of Elections since 1992, roles usually reserved for Democratic county leaders or former elected officials. Golden's successor as Brooklyn Borough President is Marty Markowitz
Marty Markowitz
Marty Markowitz is the Borough President of Brooklyn, New York City, the most populous borough in New York City with nearly 2.6 million residents. Markowitz was first elected borough president in 2001 after serving 23 years as a New York State Senator...
, who had served for many years as the State Senator from Golden's home district. Golden had supported his Deputy, the late Jeannette Gadson, in that election.