Cordell Cleare was Selected, on Saturday, to be the Democratic Nominee for Harlem's Open State Senate Sseat, ending weeks of speculation that began when, incumbent Brian Benjamin was elevated to Lieutenant Governor.
Cleare, 56, is a longtime Party Leader in the Neighborhood, who recently ran for the District 9 City Council Seat, finishing in Fourth place.
She will now Run in a November General Election for the 30th District Senate Seat, a Special Election, which she is all but certain to win.
Her Selection came at the End, of an hourslong Meeting of Local District Leaders, convened by the Manhattan Democratic Party at an Auditorium in Riverbank State Park. Well over a Dozen People had expressed Interest in the Open Seat for the Seat, which covers Central Harlem and parts of: East Harlem, Hamilton Heights, the Upper West Side, and Washington Heights.
In the end, only Five People besides Cleare put themselves Forward: Assemblymembers Inez Dickens, Robert Rodriguez, and Al Taylor; Athena Moore, another recent Council Candidate; and Shana Harmongoff, a Staffer for Benjamin's Senate Office.
Rodriguez, though, withdrew from Contention soon after the Meeting began after realizing he did Not live within the District. Dickens, too, later took herself Out of contention despite initial speculation that she was a Strong Contender to win.
After Two Rounds of Voting, Moore with 40.7%, Cleare with 31.3%, and Taylor with 28%. In the Third Round, Cleare Defeated Moore with 57.4% of the Vote.
For years, Cleare worked for Bill Perkins, during his Tenure in the State Senate and City Council, serving as his Chief of Staff, though she eventually Challenged him for his Seat this Spring.
In 2016, she was a Party Delegate for Bernie Sanders during his Campaign for President. She has also served on a Local School Board and led a 1990s Fight against Led Poisoning after her Son was sickened.
During her recent Council Campaign, Cleare said her Top Priorities included: Affordable Housing, Tenant Protections, Protecting Harlem's Landmarks, and achieving Police-Free Schools. "I have a long record of community service and getting results," she wrote in a Candidate Questionnaire. She will Run again for a Full Term next year.
She has already drawn at least One Challenger for Next June's Democratic Primary: Ali Dinii, a Community Organizer who has the Support of District 9 City Council Nominee Kristin Richardson Jordan.
Dinii, a Democratic Socialist, withdrew on Saturday from the Special Election, calling the Internal Party Vote "undemocratic."
Cleare dedicated her Victory on Saturday, to her Son, Jordan, who Died last month at age 29.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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