On Monday July 22, candidates from the 2014 New York State Elections made their way to the New York Amsterdam News building for editorial endorsements. Candidates are filling the seats of NY state Governor, Andrew Cuomo, Lieutenant Governor, Robert J.Duffy, and representatives to the NYS senate and Assembly. As electoral season goes on, the city candidates spoke to the AmNews about their campaigns and the issues concerning their communities.
Robert Jackson
Former Harlem based New York City Councilmember Robert Jackson campaigns for economic development in his run for New York State Senator of the 31st district. Jackson, has represented parts of the Upper West Side, West Harlem, and Morningside Heights. The Councilmen explained to the AmNews the importance of electing a legislator that responds to the community.
“My main platform is touching base with the people,” Jackson further stated. “We need a full time legislator that’s going to work for the people and listen to the concerns that impact them.”
Jesse Hamilton
As the former board president of the Crown Heights school district first time candidate Mr. Jesse Hamilton is running for the N.Y State Senate seat in Brooklyn for the 27th district. Hamilton is an advocate for educational reform, and hopes to make the community safe for youth.
“I’m not just running for my children I’m running for all children in Brooklyn, to make sure they have a quality education, safe streets to play in and also good jobs that can give [parents] the opportunity to raise their families,” said Hamilton to the AmNews.
Rubain Doracy
Rubain Doracy is a candidate for the NY State senatorial seat in Brooklyn’s 20th district. As an attorney, and educational administrator Doracy has used his platform to defend residents against inequality and to increase local community involvement in student education.
“It absolutely matters the kind of the leadership that we have with the issues that our community is facing from the needs of our public education and expanding our opportunities for women and minority businesses,” said Doracy in an Interview with the AmNews
John Liu
As a former candidate in the 2013 New York City mayoral elections, John Liu will once again join the race in his run for state senator of the 11th district in North-East Queens. Liu believes in equality and fiscal empowerment. If in office, Lui hopes to expand the economic opportunity and help legislate the Woman’s Equality Act.
“I expect to be a champion for working men and women all throughout the state [and] to use my responsibilities as a state senator to pass legislation [and] also bring back resources for the community,” said Lui to the AmNews.
Charles Barron
Former City Councilmember Charles Barron is running for the State assembly seat in the 60th district of East New York. The position has been vacated by his wife, Inez Barron. Ms. Barron ran for his term-limited councilmember seat. Mr.Barron hopes to empower communities with economic stability and increase youth funding.
“The bottom line is you either have to have power, the ability to make decisions or leverage.” Barron further stated ”I want to get into the state assembly to have influence in the Black, Latino, and Asian caucus so we can bring more goods and services back to our community.”
Herman D. Farrell Jr
Herman D. Farrell Jr. is a candidate for the 71st assembly district. Running in his 21st election Farrell campaigns for housing affordability in Manhattan neighborhoods of West Harlem, Inwood and Washington Heights. Farrell played a pivotal role to control citywide gentrification and advocates for the rights of tenants.
“Housing, housing, housing, that is the big issue. The landlords are working to raise the rent and the people who are having the problem are folks in their 80’s and 90’s,” said Farrell to the AmNews.
Olanike Alabi
Olanike Alabi is a candidate for District leader of the Democratic state committee for the 57th assembly district. Alabi is a representative of the Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights & Bedford-Stuyvesant communities. After serving in 2006, Alabi has continued to develop the Brooklyn community.
“There is a lack of quality in affordable housing, we do have good health care facilities in the area, but the truth of the matter is there are pocket’s of our district that have uninsured individuals,” said Alabi to the AmNews.
Brian Jones
New York City Educator Brian Jones is a Green Party candidate running for Lieutenant Governor of New York. Jones campaigns for educational reform and the increase of the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.
“When you talk to people that work at McDonalds, Burger King and Taco Bell they are nationwide calling for $15 an hour. Even with $15–shifts you’re not going to be buying martini’s after work but it is going to get you out of abject poverty in New York City,” Jones said in an interview with the AmNews.
Ramon J. Jimenez
Ramon J. Jimenez is a Green Party candidate running for New York State Attorney General. Former Harvard Law graduate, Jimenez has served the Bronx community for over 38 years and hopes to continue his campaign to end the policy of Stop and Frisk.
“The law enforcement in our community instead of protecting us, too often polices us. I see young people’s rights being abused and violated. The attorney general has to be objective [and] go after corruption.” said Jimenez to the AmNews.
Lori Boozer
Lori Boozer is a candidate for the New York State Democratic Assembly. Boozer is a representative of the Ocean Hill – Brownsville community. As a lifelong Brownsville resident Boozer campaigns for the preservation of affordable housing and advocates for educational development.
“We need to look at our educational system, especially as it pertains to our young African American boys… the ways in which they are stereotyped and the failure of our system to adequately educate African people,” said Boozer in an interview with the AmNews.
Latrice Walker
Latrice Walker is running for New York State Assembly 55th assembly district. This seat encompasses Brownsville, East New York, Crown Heights, Oceanhill, and parts of East Flatbush. Walker sees a great need to lessen crime, improve education and fix unaffordable housing issues.
“Education is underfunded and underperforming,” Walker said to the AmNews. “We really need someone who is going to take education by the helm and provide the resources needed for our young people to gain access to adequate libraries, computer labs, smart boards and everything else.”
Rodneyse Bichotte
Rodneyse Bichotte is a candidate for New York State Assembly 42nd assembly. Her main platform is education, affordable housing and economic development. She believes her background in finance will allow her to gain funding for the community.
“I want to make sure there is economic flow in the district in terms of making sure people support small businesses and getting access to capital funding,” said Bichoette to the AmNews. “Also, I want to get access to government funding for nonprofits so they can help people for jobs and keep our children safe.
Gulliermo Linares
Guillermo Linares is running for New York State Assembly for the 72nd assembly district. Linares plans to aggressively address issues the community faces such as housing, public safety education, education and youth.
“Most of our young people are not landing in college which is critical now of days if you want to land a good job. We need resources so our young people have a path to college,” Linares said to the AmNews. “There is much to done in the community and I am putting myself forward”.
Gustavo Rivera
Gustavo Rivera is currently the state senator in the 33rd district in the Northwest Bronx and is running for reelection. Economic development, job creation, housing, public safety and education are the main issues that affect his community.
“It is immense pleasure to be able to represent the people of the 33rd district,” said Rivera to the AmNews. “The three predecessors that served before me are all either in prison or have been to prison due to violation of public trust. So, I take my job as a public servant very seriously.”
Cenceria Edwards
Cenceria Edwards is running for judgeship in the second municipal district in Brooklyn. Edwards believes her personal experiences will give her a more personal view on politics and allow her to relate to the citizens of her community.
“I decided to run for judge because I have been serving the community in the streets as a lawyers for more than 16 years,” said Edwards to the AmNews. I feel that I can have a broader reach on the bench”.
Dell Smitherman
Dell Smitherman is a candidate for Senate district 19 in Brooklyn. Smitherman has lived in this district for his entire life which he feels will assist him in getting to the bottom of issues. Affordable housing, wages, educational funding and economic development are the high priority issues in his community.
“We have had a lack of leadership and we need a real fighter,” said Smitherman to the AmNews. “We need someone who is dedicated to fighting for the community.”
Olive Koppell
Olive Koppell is running for the state senate for the 34th senate district, which is mostly in the Bronx with a little piece in West Chester. Koppell is running against an incumbent.
“Senate has failed to pass a higher minimum wage, campaign finance reform, women’s equality agenda, and the dream act,” said Koppell to the AmNews. “I am a progressive democrat, I have a long history and I am staying in the race.”
Ruth Hassell-Thompson
Ruth Hassell-Thompson is running for New York state senate for the 36th district. Education and high taxes are her main priorities for her possible next term.
“I believe that I’ve done some very good things for my community and there are things yet to be done,” Hassell said to the AmNews.