5 Democrats vie for Mount Vernon-Bronx senate seat
Former Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson resigned in July from her post to work for Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a special advisor for policy and community affairs.
Five Democrats are vying in the Sept. 13 primary election to represent Mount Vernon and the Bronx in the state senate.
The winner of the 36th Senate District primary in the overwhelmingly Democratic district will likely fill the seat left vacant by former Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, who in July resigned from her post to work for Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a special adviser for policy and community affairs of state Homes and Community Renewal.
RELATED: Hassell-Thompson to leave post
EDITORIAL: For state Senate District 36: Que English
Jamaal Bailey, 34, of the Bronx, is an attorney practicing civil law and serves as state Assemblyman Carl Heastie's community relations director. Bailey said one of his biggest recent accomplishments was leading negotiations to bring a recreational center to the Edenwald neighborhood of the Bronx.
"What I really want to bring to the table is exciting leadership with new ideas from somebody that's deeply rooted in the community," Bailey told The Journal News' editorial board Tuesday.
Que English, 52, of the Bronx, is a community activist and faith leader. Her accomplishments include establishing mentoring programs for youth and starting an anti-gang basketball tournament.
"I'm running against the status quo and I'm not endorsed by any political party," said English, who listed her priorities as criminal justice reform, education reform and economic development.
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Pamela Hamilton-Johnson, 52, of the Bronx, is the executive director of the Urban Neighborhood group and a longtime education activist. She is known by many people as the "Scholarship Lady" because of her efforts helping youth obtain college scholarships, and she highlighted her accomplishments as a school board president.
"In the eight years we built six schools, and that brought $449 million to our district. I'm a testament to what parents can do," said Hamilton-Johnson, who noted that both New York City and Mount Vernon schools need the financial aid promised by the state Contracts for Excellence.
Edward Mulraine, 47, of Mount Vernon, is the pastor of Unity Baptist Tabernacle in Mount Vernon. Mulraine has lived in the Bronx and he has served there on the school board.
"I've been involved in change over the years. I've not waivered; I've been consistent over 30 years of activism in the community and I see this as a natural progression," said Mulraine, noting that his church helps hundreds of people with eviction and fraud against senior citizens, while also advocating for practical issues like more street lighting in Mount Vernon.
Dr. Alvin Ponder, 64, of the Bronx, is a physician, an adjunct college professor and an anti-HIV/AIDS activist. He has lived in Mount Vernon, and worked in the summer program at Grace Baptist Church, where he is a member. One of his priorities is bringing better ambulance service to the Bronx.
"I'm running on a platform that's best summarized as fighting for community health and quality of life," said Ponder, adding that he intends to advance his agenda through collaboration, education and participation.
The 36th Senate District has 123,000 enrolled Democrats and 6,500 enrolled Republicans. State senators are paid an annual base salary of $79,500.
MAP: 36th Senate District (in green)
Joseph Spector contributed to this report.