Several Jamaicans on November ballots in US polls
Published:Tuesday | October 13, 2020 | 12:09 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
With early voting already under way in a number of states, with others set to start polling later this month, there is a massive push within communities with large numbers of Jamaican and Caribbean nationals to rally support for a number of Jamaicans running for posts in the November 3 elections to elect a president and fill Senate and House seats across the country.
Among them are two Jamaican women representing the Democratic Party in races in the United States House of Representatives. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke is running for re-election in the Brooklyn Congressional seat she currently holds while Jackie Gordon is seeking to become the first woman of colour to win the second congressional seat on Long Island.
If Gordon is successful, she would replace Republican Congressman Pete King, the long-time holder of the seat who decided not to seek re-election. She would become the first Jamaica-born member of the US House of Representatives.
Gordon was born in Jamaica but grew up in Queens, New York. She served for more than 29 years in the United States Armed Forces and is an educator. She is a long-time resident of Long Island and has served on a number of boards as well as the Babylon Town Council. Her campaign is focused on improving access to healthcare and education, support for veterans and military families, as well as boosting the economy and reviewing taxation.
Also facing the electorate on November 3 are Donna McLeod, who is seeking re-election to the Georgia House of Representatives; Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, who is aiming to hold on to her Rhode Island House of Representatives seat; Hazel Rogers, who is seeking re-election as mayor of Lauderdale Lakes in Florida; and Kay Maragh, who could make history if she gets the nod as the first Jamaica-born woman to become mayor of Palm Bay City in Central Florida.
Jamaican judge
Justice Sam Walker is seeking re-election to the New York State Supreme Court.
Also running are Marlon Bolton, who wants to be returned as vice-mayor of the City of Tamarac in Florida; Melissa Dunn and Richard Campbell, who are seeking to win seats as commissioners in Lauderhill, Florida; Michael Jones, who wants to become city commissioner in Tamarac; Dale Holness for commissioner of Broward County, Florida; Mark Douglas, who is running unopposed as commissioner for the City of Sunrise in Florida; and Jeff Holness, who is running for the school board in Broward County..
Anton Andrew, whose mother is from Jamaica and his father from Trinidad, is also aiming to get the nod for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Among his priorities are full and fair funding for public schools, fighting gun violence, expanding access to affordable healthcare, as well as protecting a woman’s right to choose.