2008_10_gotbaumb.jpgPublic Advocate Betsy Gotbaum says she will not seek re-election next year. Gotbaum, who is in her second term and opposes the term limits extension passed by the City Council last week, told the NY Times, "It would be very hard for me to benefit from something that I fundamentally disagree with." She also mentioned that her stepdaughter-in-law's death at the Phoenix airport influenced her decision to step down. This means there will be a heated race for the position (which reviews problems and complaints of residents, community boards, etc.) --a few names mentioned by the Times are City Council members Eric Gioia, John Liu, and Bill de Blasio as well as lawyer Norman Siegel.