Right after Labor Day, New York moves ahead at full speed. The children go back to school, work kicks into high gear and the city prepares to vote in primaries that sometimes are actually the only real contests candidates will encounter in the election cycle.
This primary is different from others. Different in the sense that there are so many heated contests within the state. Many incumbent Democrats are being challenged, when before, that idea was almost unheard of. Some are being challenged because of alleged or proven corruption. Others are being challenged because of their record and their lack of unity with their party.
Then there are the open seats. Some seats have been vacant for months because their former occupants were forced to leave because of illegal activity and, in some cases, jail sentences. So that has led to a very interesting election cycle.
But corruption aside, there is a phenomenal crop of candidates this year. Some are young and this is their first time around the block. Others are seasoned politically but have never run for office, whereas others have been part of the establishment but are now coming back because they have been discouraged by where they see their communities going.
This is, in short, the essence of the political process, an element of participatory democracy that is perfected by your vote.
We are at a pivotal time in our city and our state, and the need for progressive politics is essential. Politics as usual will not fly anymore. The issues of gun violence, police brutality, education and health care can no longer be looked at in silence. We must look at the epidemics of violence as more than “a Black problem.”
We need politicians who are going to come in with fresh ideas and a fresh perspective. But the most important part of all of this is that we all participate.
Tuesday, Sept. 9 is Primary Election Day. It is your civic duty to vote. If you don’t vote, you can’t complain. Below is a recap of endorsements from the New York Amsterdam News Editorial Board:
For Governor, Andrew Cuomo
State Senate
11th Senatorial District, John Liu
14th Senatorial District, Leroy Comrie Jr.
18th Senatorial District, Debbie Medina
19th Senatorial District, Dell Smitherman
20th Senatorial District, Rubain Dorancy
31st Senatorial District, Robert Jackson
33rd Senatorial District, J. Gustavo Rivera
34th Senatorial District, Oliver Koppell
36th Senatorial District, Ruth Hassell-Thompson
State Assembly
42nd Assembly District, Rodneyse Bichotte
60th Assembly District, Charles Barron
71st Assembly District, Herman “Denny” Farrell
72nd Assembly District, Guillermo Linares
79th Assembly District, Michael Blake
District Leader/State Committee, 57th Assembly District, Olanike Alabi
Civil Court Judge
Kings County 2nd Municipal District, Cenceria Edwards