Haitian-Americans Gaining Clout in Long Island Politics
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During the recent November elections, five Haitian-Americans ran for seats on several different local boards and councils. Democrat Valerie Cartwright, daughter of Haitian immigrants, ran for the Brookhaven Town Board and won with 52% of the vote. It is a significant victory for her and the Haitian-American community because the community contains a very small population of Haitian-Americans. A civil rights attorney, she ran on a platform concerning quality-of-life challenges, encompassing low-income housing and more effective outreach services.
Two Haitian-Americans, incumbent democrat, Carrié Solages, and republican Naomie Jean-Philippe ran against each other for a seat on the Nassau County Legislature. Solages retained his seat. Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman, Joseph Mondello, supports inclusion of Haitian-Americans, as well as other minority groups in local politics. As he remarks, "I am very proud we ran . . . Naomie [Jean-Philippe], and you can expect more in the future."
The Corridor Counts, a Nassau County initiative, intends to put its weight behind eligible minority candidates. As one minority community leader put it, "We still have a long way to go in terms of organizing politically. . . "
Read more: diaspora, Haitian-American, Long Island, Naomie Jean-Philippe, International
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