He Inspires 'Seinfeld,' Now Runs for Mayor
Daily News, April 29, 2001

by Greg Gittrich

The city's yawner of a mayoral race got a heaping dose of not-ready-for-prime-time personality yesterday.

In what could have been a plotline from "Seinfeld," Kenny Kramer, the inspiration for the bizarre sitcom character of the same last name, won the Libertarian Party nomination for mayor.

No joke. And unlike the show, Kramer, 57, says his campaign is not about nothing.

"I'm not gonna run a token campaign, or a campaign just to make a point," Kramer told about 50 of the party faithful at a laid-back convention at a midtown Holiday Inn. "I'm in it to win it."

Kramer, who has lived in Hell's Kitchen for 24 years, easily defeated the party's other candidate - None of the Above.

This isn't Kramer's first foray into mayoral politics. In 1997, the long-haired former comedian briefly sought the Democratic nod for mayor.

"That time it was more of a promotional stunt. He seems serious this time," said political guru Doug Friedline, Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's campaign manager who met with Kramer yesterday. "New York's mayoral race is a mess right now. He has a chance."

"I promise there will be no scandals in my campaign," Kramer said. "I admit to everything. I admit to my youthful indiscretions, my middle-aged screwups."

He also supports the decriminalization of drugs and gay and lesbian marriages.

While his only true claim to fame is that he lived across the hall from "Seinfeld" creator Larry David, Kramer's name recognition should help him gather the 7,500 signatures he needs to get on the ballot.

"We've elected many [amateur] comedians as mayor of New York," said state Libertarian Party Chairman Richard Cooper. "Why not finally have a professional?"