FRONTRUNNER: Haitian American Among Favorites For N.Y. Political Office

NEW YORK – Farah Louis is among the front-runners to replace fellow Caribbean American Jumaane Williams as representative for the 45th Council District in Brooklyn when the election is held here this month.

Williams, son of Grenadian immigrants, was recently elected public advocate of New York City. Haitian American Louis believes she will succeed Williams.

“I am confident that the unwavering and growing support, our campaign efforts and our momentum will lead us to victory on May 14,” Louis told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC)last month.

“New York City, in particular the 45th Council District, is currently facing crucial changes that will affect the overall landscape of our community,” added the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who had also served as Williams’s former deputy chief-of-staff and budget director.

“We need a staunch advocate that will fight against systemic inequality affecting our housing, education, businesses and healthcare. I believe I am the best person to lead my district in the right direction. I am seeking to ensure progressive leadership for the city that has come from central Brooklyn remains.”

CARIBBEAN

The 10 candidates contesting this month’s election include several Caribbean-born and Caribbean Americans, all claiming they are best suited to represent the district that comprises East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park and Midwood. More than 188,000 people live in the district, of which about 61 percent are either Caribbean American or African American.

In addition to Louis, the candidates are: Jamaican-born Rickie Tulloch; Trinidad and Tobago-born Anthony Alexis; Monique Chandler-Waterman, daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants; Jovia Radix, daughter of Barbadian and Grenadian immigrants; Louis Cespedes Fernadez, son of Cuban immigrants; Anthony Beckford; Xamayla Rose and Adina Sash.

In Sept. 2018, Louis said she ran for judicial delegate in the 42nd Assembly District and won with over 8,000 votes. Rodneyse Bichotte, another Haitian American, is the incumbent state assembly member for the 42nd District. Bichotte is supporting Louis’s campaign.

SUPPORT

Support has come from other areas as well, including two of the city’s most prominent lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and queer voices.

“In backing Farah,” said Allen Roskoff, president of the Jim Owles Democratic Club.

“We have been at the forefront of the fight for basic human rights for the LGBT community and have only supported candidates who were willing to do the same.

“We’re endorsing Farah Louis for the 45th City Council District because she has shown that she will stand with us on the struggle for equality for the LGBTQ community, immigrants, people of color, the disabled and other marginalized people,” Roskoff added.

Louis regards herself as “an esteemed community organizer and publicist with over 15 years of experience and dedication to advocacy and public service.

“I look forward to being the next city council member for the 45th District, connecting and working with all communities within the district,” she said.