3 Similar Candidates with 3 Very Different Backgrounds

3 Similar Candidates with 3 Very Different Backgrounds

Special Elections!!!  This Tuesday, September 13th!!

I was going to provide you with the stances of all the candidates in the 54th State Assembly District, but once I began to compile the facts I realized there were few difference in their views.  All three are for decreasing crime, more jobs, improving schools, and fixing every other problem that plagues an underserved lower-income district.  Where Jesus Gonzalez, Deidre Towns, and Rafael Espinal do differ, is in their backgrounds.

DEIDRA TOWNS

Ms. Towns family constitutes a political dynasty.  Her brother, has held the seat she is seeking for the past 18 years.  Her father, is Congressman Edolphus Towns, who is serving his 15th term in Congress.  Much of her past work experience has raised questions in that you can't trace any significant contributions to the workforce.  Her website states that she has made a career in business development.  In fact, Deidre hasn't seemed to show much of an interest in politics until now.

JESUS GONZALEZ

Jesus Gonzalez is a young (26) community activist who at age 13 became a founding member of a non-profit called Make the Road, an immigrant advocacy group.  He has very few political connections and all of his roots are connected to the community he wants to serve.  This leaves him owing favors to noone and in a better position to do what is best for his district.  Gonzalez is also an alternative to the two groups that have been running Brooklyn and Queens for the past 30 years.   

RAFAEL ESPINAL 

While Rafael Espinal, is not part of a political family, he is a member of the Democratic machine.  Backed by Brooklyn Democratic Chairman Vito Lopez, he is the heir-apparent to his seat.  For the past few decades Brooklyn and Queens have looked like a rivalry between two factions, one led by Lopez the other by Congressman Towns.  Also young, (27) and Latino, he represents the changing demographics of the district.  Furthermore, he comes from a working class Dominican family in the area.  His opposition of abortion and same-sex marriage makes him a star in the eyes of Conservative, Catholic Latinos.  

I think this election is going to come down to business as usual versus new blood.  The future versus the past.  A new way of doing things versus the old way of doing things.  There are arguments in favor of both sides.  

READ MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES....

Candidates for the 54th Debate

Rafael Espinal

Deidra Towns

Jesus Gonzalez