Steve Levin

In Brooklyn, peace between rival factions of the county Democratic party is hard to come by.

Levin alleges that Restler, a persistent critic of Brooklyn Democratic chairman Vito Lopez, agreed not to challenge Levin for his Council seat in 2013, if Levin and Lopez ended their attempts to challenge Restler in his race for re-election this year.

“This year’s district leader race, and the possibility of him running against me in next year’s City Council race, were subjects we discussed,” Levin said. “[Restler] said that either he has zero races, or he has two races.”

“We did not come out of it with any reconciliation,” Levin added.

“I was hopeful there might be an opportunity for the Councilman to establish his independence from Vito Lopez, but given his ongoing and aggressive intervention in my District Leader race – clearly that is not going to happen,” Restler said.

Rather than accept the deal, Levin is actively supporting Christopher Olechowski, who recently formed a campaign committee to raise money for a run against Restler.

Lincoln Restler

Restler asked Levin for a beer summit to talk about rumors that Levin was aggressively seeking out challengers to run against him for district leader – including North Brooklyn Development Corporation President Rich Mazur, Greenpoint Gazette Publisher Jeff Mann, Community Board 1 District Manager Gerry Esposito, former district leader Steve Cohn and his son Warren Cohn, all of whom declined. Levin was also mulling a shot at running against Restler himself, sources said.

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With Anthony Weiner out, Bill de Blasio is trying to position himself as the inside the Beltway candidate.

John Liu penned a pro-pension op-ed in USA Today.

Scott Stringer jousted with Mayor Bloomberg over solar energy.

Manhattan

Vince Morgan is dropping his congressional bid and endorsing Adriano Espaillat.

Charlie Rangel makes his first public appearance in months this morning.

Brooklyn

Lincoln Restler has a challenger for district leader.

Queens

Rory Lancman had strong words about the new contender in the NY-6 race, Jeffrey Gottlieb.

Dan Halloran blasted Gottlieb’s entry into the race.

Michael Reich doesn’t believe Lancman’s assertion that a Jewish candidate was recruited into the race.

Gottlieb could have problems getting around his current position at the Board of Elections.

U.S. Senate

Bob Turner is headed on an upstate swing.

State Senate

Sen. Mark Grisanti has two challengers – so far.

Elsewhere

Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari is retiring.

A challenger to Rep. Nan Hayworth raised $320,000 and is now moving into her congressional district.

To read more from City & State visit their website at www.cityandstateny.com.