Fulani Says “We have Two Good Choices”
in Governor’s Race
Urges Vote for Charles Barron on Freedom Party line or Andrew Cuomo on Independence Party’s Column “C”
Either Vote Advances “Twin Causes of
Independent Politics and Black empowerment”
New York, NY—Dr. Lenora Fulani held a press conference Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 at 10:30 am at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem, 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., to recommend two choices in the November Governor’s race—Charles Barron on the Freedom Party line or Andrew Cuomo on the Independence Party’s Column “C.” Both, says Fulani, will advance the “twin causes of independent politics and black empowerment.”
Dr. Fulani is a founder of the Independence Party of New York. Cuomo received the state party’s endorsement for Governor in May. Councilmember Charles Barron, also a candidate for Governor, needs 50,000 this November to obtain ballot status for the fledgling Freedom Party.
“I welcome Charles Barron’s entry into independent politics and his bid to create the Freedom Party,” said Fulani. “And I want to urge the Harlem community, together with independent-minded people across this state, to help the Freedom Party get the 50,000 votes needed for ballot status.”
“The Independence Party, of course, has a gubernatorial candidate this year, Andrew Cuomo, a traditional liberal who says he wants to reform Albany,” continued Fulani. “On the one hand, Democrats say that every year. But this year is different because Cuomo is not just running as a Democrat. He is running on the Independence Party line – New York’s premier pro-reform party. And in this, the voters of New York finally have a real choice. They can vote for Mr. Cuomo on the Independence line, or they can vote for Mr. Barron on the Freedom Party line. With either vote, the twin causes of independent politics and black empowerment will be advanced. “
Bringing independent options to the black and progressive communities has been a motivating principle of Dr.Fulani’s over the course of her 25 year career as a political activist. Political independence is increasingly popular within communities of color. Today, of the roughly 800,000 non-aligned independents in New York City, 20% are African American, 24% are Latino and 11% are Asian-American. Nationally, 30% of African Americans between 18-29 consider themselves independents.
An alliance between black and independent voters first appeared in New York City elections on a dramatic scale in the 2005 mayoral contest when Michael Bloomberg received 60% of the independent and 47% of the black vote running on the Independence and Republican Party lines. In the 2008 presidential election, black and independent voters powered Obama’s upset victory in the Democratic primaries and cemented the coalition that carried him to victory in the November general election.
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