In case you thought the April primary was the only one to decide politicians to vote for in November, think again, there are two more scheduled before the big day when the next leader of the free world is fully endorsed by a majority bi-partisan Americans.
The last primary election narrowed the field of presidential candidates seeking to live in the White House.
Tuesday, June 28, voters in NYC will have a say as to who will represent congressional districts and do the bidding for better living conditions when they go to Washington D.C.
New York ranks among the 10 states with the worst voter turnout during primary elections. And registered Democrats in seven of New York City’s congressional districts will be voting to select a candidate to represent their party in the Nov. 8 general election for seats — one per district — in the U.S. House of Representatives.
There are no Republican primaries taking place within the city limits on June 28.
Perhaps the most sought after position in the race is in District 13, which covers northern Manhattan and the southwestern edge of the Bronx. Eight candidates are vying to replace Cong. Charles B. Rangel who is retiring and will not be returning to the nation’s capital. His constituency comprises East Harlem, Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Kings Bridge, Bedford Park and Fordham Hill.
The contenders staking a claim for the coveted seat are all reputed community leaders. Among them: Adam Clayton Powell IV, a former City Councilman and former State Assembly Member.
A familiar name to the ballot, his father Adam Clayton Powell Jr. represented Harlem from 1944 to 1970 and was the pride of Harlem during his tenure before his regular vacations to Bimini in the Bahamas became an issue for his detractors in Washington D.C.
Ironically, following Powell’s departure, Cong. Rangel inherited the coveted seat.
NYS Assemblyman Keith Wright is another favorite son seeking the office. The son of popular and controversial now decesaed, former Judge Bruce Wright made an early bid for the position and has already won the endorsement of the outgoing Cong. Rangel.
Suzan Johnson Cook is the only female in the race. A popular and respected community leader, she is also a pastor, former ambassador and former administration official to President Bill Clinton.
Michael Gallagher has often been referenced as a “virtual unknown” to the campaign trail.
What is known is that he is from Washingon Heights and may have supporters in that upper Manhattan area.
Better known to the Dominican community is State Senator Adriano Espaillat.
On two previous occasions he challenged Cong. Rangel and both times lost to the elder statesman.
State Assembly Member Guillermo Linares has the distinction of being the first Dominican Republic-born individual to be elected to public office. That was 1991. He is a former City Councilman and a former commissioner of Immigrant Affairs.
Clyde Williams lives in Harlem and was born in Washington D.C., the center of American politics. He was political director of the Democratic National Committee and Domestic Policy Advisor to former President Bill Clinton. He is married to former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Mona Stephen who he allegedly met in the Situation Room at the White House.
Sam Sloan is not only a congressional candidate earlier this year he also sought the Democratic nomination for president.
He was also a democratic candidate for governor of New York in 2014 elections.
Voters in District 3 — Whitestone, Beechhurst, Little Neck and Glen Oaks — will be able to choose from five candidates running to replace departing incumbent Steve Israel. Tom Suozzi, Jonathan Clarke, Jon Kaiman, Steve Stern, Suffolk County legislator and Anna Kaplan, North Hempstead Town Board member. Cong. Jose. E. Serrano will be challenged by Leonel Baez District 15 – which includes: Mott Haven, Port Morris, Hunts Point, Clason Point, Unionport, Castle Point, Tremont, Belmont, West Farms and Melrose.
Cong. Gregory Meeks will face-off against Ali Mirza in District 5 for representation in The Rockaways, Jamaica, Cambria Heights, South Ozone Park, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens and Rosedale.
Three candidates are competing for District 7’s — Chinatown, Cobble Hill, Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Park Slope, Ridgewood, Bushwick and Woodhaven leadership. They are Cong. Nydia Velazquez, Jeff Kurzon and Yungman Lee.
Incumbent Cong. Jerrold Nadler will have to beat Mikhail Oliver Rosenberg in District 10 — Financial District, Battery Park City, TriBeCa, SoHo, West Village, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Clinton, Midtown West, Upper West Side in order to return to Washington D.C.
And while Cong. Carolyn Maloney appears to be securely locked to represent District 12 — Lower East Side, Union Square, Kips Bay, Flatiron, Murray Hill, Midtown East, Upper East Side, Yorkville — Pete Lindner is ready to oppose her.
In other congressional districts where there are no contested seats, this primary will be irrelevant.
Registered Democrats are urged to vote on Tuesday. The next primary date is Sept. 13.
Road To Rio Could be “Calamity”
As if mosquitoes aren’t already wreaking a public relations nightmare on Brazil’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games, state authorities have declared “a state of public calamity.”
Wwarning that extreme economic measures would need to be implemented to successfully host the Games slated to begin in August a decree stated:
“It is for the competent authorities to adopt exceptional necessary measures to rationalize all public services, with the aim of realizing the Games,” the statement urged.
Issued recently on the state government’s web site, the statement added that emergency actions are necessary to avoid a “total collapse in public safety, health, education, transport and environmental management.”
“Any institutional instability would hurt the country’s image,” acting governor Francisco Dornelles signed in endorsement of the statement.
Allegedly, the state of Rio de Janeiro is now suffering financial difficulties due to the fall in global oil prices. Reportedly Brazil “is floundering through a deep recession.”
Reportedly, the South American nation is also mired in economic and political chaos resulting with suspension of President Dilma Rousseff last month.
The Brazilian Senate made the decision and is slated to hold an impeachment trial on charges that she violated spending accounting rules.
Added to the negative impact from reports on the ravages of the Zika virus the road to Rio could be paved with impediments that could bight the athletic competitions.
The August 5-21 Olympics and September 7-18 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro are the first to be held in South America.
Catch You On The Inside!
