Mixed results for Jamaican candidates in US elections

Jamaicans vying for various positions in the November 3 United States elections experienced mixed results.

Congressional candidate for the 2nd Congressional District in Long Island, Jackie Gordon, appears to have come up short in her bid to become the first Jamaica-born member of the US House of Representatives.

While there are still mail-in ballots to be counted, she is trailing her Republican opponent.

On the other hand, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke easily retained her Brooklyn Congressional seat, getting the highest per cent of votes of any other New York congressional candidate.

Also retaining their seats were Donna McLeod, who held her State House spot in Georgia, and Marcia Ranglin-Vassell in the Rhode Island State House of Representatives.

Also winning were New York State Supreme Court Judge Sam Walker and the mayor of Lauderhill Lakes in Florida, Hazel Rogers.

Jamaican Carol Sharpe was also winning her contest to be a New York State Supreme Court judge in Manhattan.

Walker, who ran on the Democratic, Republican, and Conservative lines, said that his election this cycle was different because of COVID-19.

“Most of our campaigning had to be done virtually. This also hampered our ability to raise funds,” he said.

Although Walker has won another full term on the Bench, he may not serve the entire tenure as in two years because he will reach the age of retirement. However, provisionally, he could be on the court another four years but would have to undergo a physical and mental examination every two years.

Also winning her race was Melissa Dunn, who won as county commissioner in Lauderhill.

Kay Maragh came up short in her bid to win as mayor of the City of Palm Bay in Florida.