The New York democratic primary is usually a keenly-watched five-borough contest of political possibilities but this year, Brooklyn and Queens took the lion-share of attention with a former comptroller vying to become the first Asian-American state representative; several indicted politicians contesting seats and a Caribbean woman making a bid for a judgeship within New York City’s Civil Court.
In central Brooklyn Guyana-born Sharon Clarke campaigned to become a member of the civil court judiciary.
She won handily despite the fact she was four times challenged in the courts; did not receive endorsements from the borough president, mayor, governor, congresswoman or any of the so-called power, party reps.
On Labor Day she looked a winner walking along Eastern Parkway alongside a diverse Caribbean support team of campaigners.
State Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblyman Nick Perry said she was the best candidate to represent District Six.
“I have no doubt that Sharon Clarke is the best Democrat in the race,” Assemblyman Perry said.
“I wholeheartedly endorse her candidacy and urge everyone to vote for her for Civil Court judge,” Parker said.
The two Caribbean politicians stepped up to support the Bourne-born daughter to Barbadian and Guyanese parents and wife of a Jamaican named Clarke. And after the ballots were calculated Clarke emerged victorious by a margin of nearly 54 percent over her rival.
The mother of two sons, lawyer and human rights advocate will not have to defend her position in November because she is unchallenged to rap the gavel.
Despite his former city-wide position as comptroller and a fourth place showing in the mayoral elections last year, 47-year-old John Liu did not win a seat in the state senate. He lost by a narrow margin of 52 to 47 percent to the 62-year-old incumbent Senator Tony Avella dashing hopes of becoming the first Asian-American to represent New York State.
Former Brooklyn City Councilman Charles Barron repeated a feat his wife Inez accomplished five years ago by beating Chris Banks for the East New York seat in the 60th Assembly District. The outspoken politician claimed 64 percent of the votes and will occupy the seat his wife did in Albany when she held the position before winning the same city councilmanic seat Charles occupied.
Barron feels assured that in November he will easily win back the position which seems to be emerging a Barron family seat.
Joining Barron in Albany, former City Councilman Leroy Comrie won a landslide victory in Queens’ District 14 over Senator Malcolm A. Smith. Comrie who was supported by Mayor Bill deBlasio whipped the senator charged with trying to bribe his way onto the Republican ballot for the 2013 mayoral race.
In District 19, John Sampson easily avenged his reputation by beating the mayor’s choice Dell Smitherman for a seat in Albany. Despite charges of embezzlement Sampson won by taking 56 percent of the votes.
Sampson is under federal indictment on charges that he embezzled more than $400,000 from the sale of foreclosed homes. He was among a four-way challenge that may have split votes in his favor.
