A tough race for the City Council is playing out in Brooklyn Heights, Greenpoint and Williamsburg, as a crowded field of candidates try to win a seat being vacated by city comptroller candidate David Yassky. NY1's Michael Scotto filed the following report.

There are seven candidates trying to stand out in a large field to replace David Yassky as the next council member for Brooklyn's 33rd City Council District, which includes Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill and Williamsburg.

Yassky's former chief of staff, Evan Thies, is one of the candidates vying for the office and claims his experience as a council staff member will allow him to get to work quickly.

"I've helped pass budgets, I've helped write and pass a dozen pieces of legislation," said Thies.

Stephen Levin is another candidate with a legislative background. He worked as chief of staff to Assemblyman Vito Lopez, the powerful head of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

Lopez has donated $1,000 to Levin's campaign, but Levin insists Lopez wouldn't influence his decisions.

"I'd be very independent. As his chief of staff, I've differed with him on certain things," said Levin.

Opponent Isaac Abraham says Levin and Thies do not have enough life experience.

"They might have gotten enough knowledge, but they haven't been to the battlefield yet," said Abraham.

That point was raised by the other candidates, as well, like Ken Diamondstone, who ran for the seat before.

"I've done all my work as a private citizen. They've done it as an employee of an elected official," said Diamondstone.

Candidate Jo Anne Simon is a former head of the Boerum Hill Association.

"I have much more deep roots in the communities than my competitors do," said Simon.

Engineer Doug Biviano says his opponents offer more of the same.

"What they represent, more than anything, is the status quo," he said.

On many of the issues, the candidates have similar stands. They all want affordable housing and more parental involvement in the educational system.

"Parents need to have more input into the operation of the schools," said candidate Ken Baer.

All the candidates tried to get out their message Friday to an audience that is currently being inundated with campaign fliers and stump speeches.