Ooh la la, Sasson!

From City Hall:

Isaac Sasson, who placed a very close third in last year’s Democratic primary race to succeed John Liu on the City Council, now has his eyes—and a promise of $1 million of his money—on a new target: Queens State Sen. Toby Stavisky.

Sasson will run as a self-financed Democrat and framed his candidacy around complaints with the budget and frustration with the current “circus” in Albany, stating that Stavisky is part of the problem.

“Stavisky’s been there for years,” Sasson said, during a break from petitioning on Wednesday afternoon. “I want to do the job she’s not doing.”

Sasson has already lined up the support of the State Independence's Party executive committee member from Queens, Michael Niebauer, though whether the state leadership of the Independence Party, which sometime overrules local executive committee members on candidate endorsements, remains unclear. Tom Connolly, vice chairman of the party, said no decisions have yet been made about an endorsement in the race.

Also running is local business owner John A. Messner, a relative political newcomer who spent time working as a speechwriter for former Mayor David Dinkins. Both are up against a woman with deep connections within the Democratic Party and established connections.

Sasson, who won a $13 million lottery jackpot in 2007, said he is willing to spend his own money liberally in the race.

“I will spend whatever is necessary to win,” he said. “Maybe close to $1 million dollars if necessary. Whatever it is, I will do it.”

He is, however, hoping not to fully self-finance, with fundraising events expected as the race unfolds.