By NAN Staff Writer
News Americas, MIAMI, FL, Fri. June 15, 2018: The New York Times editorial board, in a stunning moved on Thursday endorsed the primary election challenger of Caribbean American Congresswoman, Yvette Clarke, over the incumbent lawmaker.
The Times called the son of Ugandan immigrants, Adem Bunkeddeko, “an energetic young community organizer” and said change would be welcomed in the Ninth Congressional District.
The two head into a tough Primary Election on June 26th.
The Times editorial board slammed Clarke for doing little over the past decade in office, stating: “major legislative accomplishments have been regrettably far between in her tenure in Congress.”
“Residents of Brownsville, Park Slope, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, Sheepshead Bay and Crown Heights deserve a more energetic advocate in Washington,” the endorsement added.
It added that Bunkeddeko will give that energy as a “promising newcomer” and urged voters to give him “a chance.”
Bunkeddeko has said that he wants to focus on bringing federal housing dollars back to Brooklyn, of critical importance to a district that includes neighborhoods from Park Slope to Crown Heights where rents have soared, putting enormous pressure on poor and middle-class New Yorkers. He has also promised to broaden constituent services to offer much-needed legal services to immigrants and other residents.
After refusing to, Clarke has now agreed to debate her Democratic Congressional Primary challenger on June 19th on NY1’s ‘Inside City Hall. Journalist Errol Louis will moderate the debate, which comes just a week before the election.
Congresswoman Clarke, 53, has outraised her challenger 3-1 as NAN reported recently and on May 21st, lined up dozens of supporters and elected officials including Mayor Bill de Blasio and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries on the steps of the Brooklyn Museum to sing her praises. Most cited her experience, saying her challenger lacks any.
