So far there’s a handful of candidates vying to replace Harlem’s Assemblymember Inez Dickens, who’s already announced she’ll be retiring from office this year.
The candidates for the 70th Assembly District are Shana Harmongoff, Joshua Clennon, Maria Ordoñez, Jordan Wright, Alpheaus Marcus, and Craig Schley, according to the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE).
Harmongoff is a native New Yorker with a law degree background. She served as the District Office Director and Director of Community Affairs under former State Senator Brian Benjamin for just over four years. “When I was a kid, about eight years old, both of my parents were civically involved in the Harlem community,” said Harmongoff about why she’s running. “They would always have me and my siblings volunteer at nursing homes and senior centers.”
Harmongoff has dedicated her platform to mental health and protecting seniors, she said. She worked next door to Dickens while in Benjamin’s office and said she would be honored to continue her legacy.
“When I go out to the community, I listen to the community and hear what their needs are, so when I become an elected official,” said Harmongoff, “now I’m able to deliver and create legislation and give the people what they need.”
Previously, Harmongoff ran for Senate District 30 in 2022.
Clennon is a fourth-generation Harlemite. He unfortunately lost his father to gun violence at a young age, but is using the tragedy as a catalyst for his life in public service.
“He was actually holding me in his arms when he was shot and killed,” said Clennon. “I decided at a young [age] then that I wanted to give back to my community to help prevent things like that, tragedies, from happening to future generations.”
Clennon has previously served as the treasurer and chair of District Needs for Manhattan Community Board 10, treasurer of the Black Caucus of the Young Democrats of America, political director and vice president of the Manhattan Young Democrats, New York County Judicial Delegate and County Committee member, and as a Democratic National Committee Delegate.
He’s also worked in the arena of affordable housing and with Congressmember Charles Rangel. Previously, Clennon ran for City Council District 9 in 2021.
“I think this is a pivotal time for our community. We have thousands of families being forced out of our community each year just because they can’t afford to raise a family here,” said Clennon.
In addition to affordability, Clennon wants to focus on maternal health, infant mortality, environmental issues, and education.
Harlem native Ordoñez is a community activist who organizes for tenant rights, environmental justice, and involving more people in the democratic process. She feels that elected officials have been “failing” the district for years.
Previously, Ordoñez also ran for City Council in 2021.
Ordoñez is an executive committee member of the New York Progressive Action Network (NYPAN), is Manhattan Young Democrats Local Political Director, and currently serves as a Democratic State Committee Member for Assembly District 70.
“Together we can make truly affordable housing, education equity, climate justice, the New York Health Act, union jobs with livable wages, and a Green New Deal for public housing possible in Harlem,” said her campaign website.
The Amsterdam News reached out to candidate Wright but did not hear back by post time.
[update Tues, Feb. 20]
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.