Caribbean-American councilmembers retain seats in New York primary election

By Felicia Persaud

Councilman Allan Jennings retained his seat

Wednesday, September 10, 2003

BROOKLYN, New York: Three incumbent Caribbean American City Councilmembers retained their seats as primary election 2003 came to a close last night in New York City.

In one of the most watched races of the election, Vincentian-born Councilmember Mr. Kendall Stewart of Brooklyn, won by a slim margin of 179 votes over his main challenger, Barbadian-born Mr. Sam Taitt. Mr. Taitt managed 1,763 votes in a primary election that was seemingly marred by low voter turnout while Mr. Stewart was returned with 1,942 votes. 

Mr. Stewart, who speaks with a thick Vincentian accent, had faced stiff opposition for stereotypical remarks he made to the New York Daily News about Haitians but that comment coupled with what one challenger termed his 'arrogance,' did not doom his re-election bid. 

But an insider to Governor George Pataki claimed the victory came because of a "political risk" Mr. Stewart took as a freshman councilmember last year by crossing party lines and endorsing the Republican governor. "The governor reciprocated that support and the councilman's constituents will only benefit from this relationship," said the aide. 

Mr. Stewart's other challengers, Jamaican-born Mr. Omar Boucher obtained 1,222 votes while Guyanese-born Ms. Erlene King only garnered 601 votes.

Jamaican-American Councilmembers, Messrs. Leroy Comrie and Alan Jennings, who both represent a large Caribbean population in southeast Queens, were both returned to office.

Mr. Comrie won easily over his challenger, Ms. Helen Cooper Gregory, trouncing her by 2,686 votes. Councilmember Jennings, who faced a tough challenge from the Democratic machinery's handpicked designee, Ms. Yvonne Reddick, won, but narrowly. Councilmember Jennings garnered 2,111 votes compared to Ms. Reddick's 2,005. 

Late last evening, Speaker of the New York City Council Mr. Gifford Miller had predicted victory for all three incumbents, during a conversation with Trinidadian-born head of the Transport Worker Union, Mr. Roger Toussaint.

Now that the three have once again been returned to city government, the focus shifts once again to the problems of the respective communities and the solutions they can help provide in making life better for the loyal constituents who sent them back to City Hall.

  Back...

  Printable version