The daughter of Jamaican immigrants appears on course to again represent the Democratic Party in the race for a seat in the United States Congress.
“Clarke”Following an unofficial count in the June 23 primary elections for the predominantly Caribbean 9th Congressional District seat in Brooklyn, New York, incumbent Yvette Clarke held a commanding lead over her rivals with all 532 precincts reporting in the district, although absentee voting had not been fully counted.
She faced four challengers, but up to press time had amassed 37,106 votes (62.3 percent) in the poll. Her closest challenger was Adem Bunkeddeko, the son of Ugandan refugees, who came just less than 2,000 votes in unseating Clarke in the Democratic Primary two years ago, with 10,647 (17.9 percent).
New York City Councilman Chaim Deutsch received 5,622 votes (9.4 percent), followed by Isiah James 5,576 votes (9.4 percent) and Lutchi Gayot 605 (one percent).
ADVANTAGE
According to analysts, even if Bunkeddeko does well with the absentee ballots, it is unlikely he will be able to dethrone Clarke, given her 44.4 percentage point advantage up to press time.
“I’m exceedingly pleased with the level of political participation in the district and really grateful for the turnout of the voters in support of my re-election,” Clarke told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) the day after the primary.
“We’re looking forward to a resounding victory once the results have been qualified. I want to thank the people of the 9th District who continue to trust in my leadership.”
The official results of the primary were expected no later than the end of June.
Clarke, whose Jamaican-born mother Una is a former New York City Council member, is seeking her eighth consecutive two-year term in the U.S. Congress. If she wins the New York primary, she is expected to face a Republican challenger in the November election.
Clarke has served as the chair, co-chair and/or founding member of several committees and caucuses in the U.S. House of Representatives, including the Homeland Security Committee, Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, Medicare for All Caucus, Small Business Committee, Congressional Black Caucus Immigration Task Force and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She’s also been vice-chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
