Another Harlem incumbent in the assembly has officially announced his bid for re-election: Assemblymember Al Taylor. His opponent so far is organizer Julien Segura.
Taylor, known for his impeccable bowtie fits, was first elected in 2017 to the assembly in an unopposed special election. The 71st assembly district includes Inwood, Washington Heights, Sugar Hill, West Harlem, and Hamilton Heights. He is also a pastor at the Infinity Mennonite Church located between 146th and 147th streets on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.
A native to Hamilton Heights, Taylor served in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps while earning his GED. He then graduated from Lehman College and became a community leader to give back. He’s worked to help tenants stay in their homes, fought to get guns off the street, worked to improve schools, combatted hate and bigotry, and given voice to seniors and families.
Off rip, Taylor came out swinging with big endorsements from his colleagues in government. Congressmember Charles Rangel, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, State senators Cordell Cleare, Robert Jackson and Luis Sepúlveda, Assemblymembers Inez Dickens and Eddie Gibbs, and District Leader Maria Luna have all pledged to support him, according to his campaign.
“I have walked from New York to Chicago against gun violence. I have ministered to those who were unwanted and unloved. I have fought in the Assembly for affordable housing, good schools, safe streets, accessible health care, and to combat climate change. I’ve worked to make a difference by taking bold actions,” said Taylor in a statement.
“Our Community and our State are facing multiple crises. We need to rise together and confront these challenges with a bold vision for a better future – a future that is equitable and that centers on the needs and experiences of our most vulnerable communities.”
Last year, Taylor lost in a crowded race for the city council seat in District 9, which went to Councilmember Yusef Salaam.
Taylor’s main challenger is Segura, who was born and raised in Sugar Hill in Harlem. He has lived in an affordable housing co-op in the district since his teenage years. He is an activist and political strategist that co-founded the New Leaf Democratic Club. His parents are both immigrants, his mother from Lebanon (Lebanese Armenian), and his father from France (Spanish Algerian).
He believes that the cost of living in Harlem is skyrocketing. He plans to address the need for low-income and senior housing, public health and reduced prescription copays, struggling small businesses, and properly funded parks.
“Uptown has been sold out,” said Segura in a statement. “We need a new champion to ensure that we can afford to stay in the communities that shaped us.”
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.