Howard Golden

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 almost 20 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. is the current New York City comptroller. Thompson is considered a leading candidate 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. Golden's handpicked successor as Brooklyn Democratic Leader, Clarence Norman Jr. has not fared as well; he was recently convicted of three felony counts of accepting illegal campaign contributions. Norman resigned as Brooklyn Democratic Leader.