City Council Member James Sanders, Jr, who won the Democratic party’s nomination at Thursday’s primary against incumbent Shirley Huntley. He is currently running uncontested for the 10th state Senate district. Forum Newsgroup photo by Robert Stridiron.
State Senator Shirley Huntley, who faced indictment for corruption charges just weeks before the Democratic Primary, lost last Thursday’s race to Council Member James Sanders, Jr.
“We believe that a new broom sweeps clean,” Sanders said. “The people deserve a clean government that has transparency, and we’re going to give that to the people of this district who have been so broken hearted by the actions of their leaders.”
Sanders received 57.1 percent of the vote, while Huntley got 39.9 percent, according to the New York Times. The other challenger, Gian A. Jones, took three percent.
As a three-time incumbent, Huntley remained a favorite going into the race. But she came under heavy fire in August after prosecutors in the state attorney general’s office accused her of falsifying documents to help her niece and an aide steal money from a nonprofit agency. The agency was supposedly meant to help poor parents within their school districts.
Huntley was arrested, pleaded not guilty, and continued her campaign despite Sanders’ public call for her to exit the race.
Sanders said that Huntley has not contacted him since his win in last Thursday’s primary.
“We wish her well. It’s not necessary for her to speak with us because the people have already spoken,” Sanders said of his former opponent. “I will not get in her way as she serves as the sitting Senator for these next few months.”
The voters sent a message to Senator Shirley Huntley by voting her out of office on the heels of her indictment and subsequent arrest. Here Huntley wanted no part of the media who swarmed over her as she prepared to be arrested. Forum Newsgroup photo by Robert Stridiron.
As a victory seemed imminent on Thursday, Sanders called his campaign team – who were still crunching numbers – over to his election night party being held in Richmond Hill. He then gave his victory speech to an emotionally charged crowd. In an interview with The Forum, Sanders described the post-election celebration as an “electric” moment.
“I was overtaken by the moment where I saw the hopes, wishes and dreams of so many people and communities come together,” Sanders said. “This country is a place where incredible things can happen – where a peasant’s son can become a City Council Member and State Senator Elect.”
Sanders now face a general election in November for the 10th State Senate District. There is currently no Republican candidate running against him in the largely Democratic District.
For now, he and his team plan on conducting a community listening tour throughout the District, including parts of Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, South Jamaica, Rochdale, Springfield Gardens, Rosedale and the Rockaways. He said that listening to the needs of people is an important first step in serving his potential constituents.
“Let us not assume that we know what people wish and want. Let’s just listen to them.”
And rather than wait until after the general election, Sanders said he and his team are already working on plans to improve economic development within the 10th District.
“We’re not waiting until January. The people voted in such large numbers because they need change desperately.”
By Ryan Lavis
