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Richard David (New York Assembly candidate)
Richard David (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New York State Assembly to represent District 31. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 23, 2020.
David also filed to run in a special election for the same seat in 2020. However, that special election was canceled due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
Biography
David earned an associate degree from CUNY-John Jay College, an undergraduate degree from CUNY-Hunter College, and an M.P.A. in public and nonprofit management from New York University.[1]
At the time of his 2017 run for city council, David was the chief of staff for the New York City Administration for Children's Services.[2] His experience also includes service as a member of Community Board 9 and work as the executive director of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, the vice president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and the executive director of Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc.[1]
Elections
2020
Regular election
See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2020
General election
General election for New York State Assembly District 31
Khaleel Anderson defeated Joseph Cullina in the general election for New York State Assembly District 31 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Khaleel Anderson (D / Working Families Party)  | 89.2 | 34,014 |
| Joseph Cullina (R) | 10.7 | 4,086 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 33 | ||
| Total votes: 38,133 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New York State Assembly District 31
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for New York State Assembly District 31 on June 23, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Khaleel Anderson | 37.2 | 3,565 |
 | Richard David | 28.9 | 2,770 | |
 | Lisa George | 19.0 | 1,819 | |
 | Shea Uzoigwe | 7.2 | 690 | |
 | Derrick DeFlorimonte | 4.1 | 392 | |
| Tavia Blakley | 3.6 | 342 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 17 | ||
| Total votes: 9,595 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Joseph Cullina advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Assembly District 31.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Khaleel Anderson advanced from the Working Families Party primary for New York State Assembly District 31.
Special election
A special election for New York State Assembly District 31 was called in 2020. The candidate filing deadline was February 24, 2020, and ballots were scheduled to be certified on March 6, 2020.[3]
This election was originally scheduled on April 28, 2020. On March 28, 2020, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) postponed New York’s presidential preference primary, one Congressional special election, and four state legislative special elections to June 23, 2020, amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.[4]
On April 24, 2020, Gov. Cuomo canceled the special elections in a proclamation.[5] Because June 23 was also the statewide primary election date, partisan primary elections for New York State Senate District 31 would have also taken place on the same day as the scheduled special election. The seat remained empty until the general election on November 3, 2020.
The seat became vacant after Michele Titus (D) resigned on January 1, 2020, in order to assume her seat on the Civil Court bench.[6]
Candidates Richard David (D), Joseph Cullina (R), Shea Uzoigwe (Independence Party), and Derrick DeFlorimonte (independent) filed for this race.
2017
Adrienne Adams defeated Richard David and Hettie Powell in the Democratic primary election for the District 28 seat on the New York City Council.[7]
| New York City Council, District 28 Democratic Primary Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Adrienne Adams |
39.17% | 3,499 |
| Richard David | 31.59% | 2,822 |
| Hettie Powell | 28.98% | 2,589 |
| Write-in votes | 0.26% | 23 |
| Total Votes | 8,933 | |
| Source: New York City Board of Elections, "2017 Primary: Certified Results," accessed September 28, 2017 | ||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Richard David did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2017
David's campaign website highlighted the following issues. Click "show" on the boxes below for more information about his positions.[8]
| Housing & Taxes |
|---|
| "We have one of the highest home ownership rates, whether it’s as cooperators or private home owners. We also pay some of the highest property tax assessments. Yet, hardly any of this funding seems to come back to our district. Homeowners are continuously being asked to pay more, and we get far less, from higher water rates, insurance, and fines. We must make owning a home in Southeast Queens more desirable and relieve some of the burdens the City has unfairly placed on homeowners.
We have one of the highest foreclosure rates in our district. We must work together with property owners to keep them in their homes. Home ownerships has been one of the most stabilizing elements in our community. We also need more affordable housing especially for working families and seniors on fixed incomes. With two NYCHA housing developments in our district, the approximately $17B gap in the capital budget is a crisis. We must maintain our current stock of affordable public housing and identify new developments for expansion." |
| Jobs |
|---|
| "We need to create new jobs that pay livable wages within the district and connect workers with jobs across the City. We have a skilled, motivated and educated workforce but, everyday, perhaps the number one request is to find decent employment opportunities. Our residents, documented and undocumented, deserve every chance to work and support their families, maintain their homes and/or pay rent on time. Whether it's at JFK Airport, which is in CD 28, with the City of New York, or one of our proud small businesses, we must work together to find employment for everyone.
We can do some small things immediately like partner with nonprofits in the district to help build resumes, interview training and actually connecting residents with living wage jobs. What has Richard done to create jobs?
|
| Police-Community Relations |
|---|
| "By coming together, in unity, we can make our neighborhoods safer. This mean a reduction in the amount of guns and drugs passing through our community, neighbors looking out for each other and making sure institutional racism and hate crimes are not tolerated. Whether you’re African American, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Latino, or something else, as communities of color, we must work collectively to achieve public safety and build deeper trust with the NYPD and our local precincts. We must also find ways to reduce the number of arrests of young men of color in our community and identify resources for the formerly incarcerated in our district.
Richard, as a member of Community Board 9 for the last 9 years, has worked closely with residents all across the district and with our Police Department. He is also a regular participant at various public safety and community forums with the 113, 106, 102 and 103 Precincts. Richard has also worked with many religious institutions, nonprofits and community leaders to deepen trust and solidarity." |
| Youth & Education |
|---|
| "As Council Member, Richard will direct funding to community centers and nonprofits that offer quality programs for youth and families. We must develop a more robust network of after-school programs and build, new, modern community center. This is the most realistic way for us to raise well-rounded, productive children into compassionate adults.
We must introduce more technology and technical programs into the classroom and within our district. New York City is leaving us and our children behind in many ways; none more starkly than with technology. Working with mentors, parents and teachers, we can improve the graduation rates across the district. The reality is we have already lost a generation of young people as a result of our failing high schools. If we don’t work with the Mayor, and demand more resources and funding here, we will not break the cycle. We also need more Head Start slots in our district and make sure that families are taking full advantage of UPK programs that currently exist. What has Richard done for youth and families?
|
| Immigration & Culture |
|---|
| "As one of the most diverse districts, with residents from Guyana, the West Indies, Latin America, South Asia, West Africa and all over the world, we must make immigration a priority. Many of our residents, friends and family members are undocumented, foreign-born or share a minority religion, culture or background. With the dysfunction, open discrimination, racism and sexism in Washington D.C., we must work together to help all our neighbors -- now more than ever.
As communities of color, we can unify around a common resistance agenda. We can work together on projects like making Diwali a public school holiday, offering Halal school lunches with greater vegetarian options, and language assistance." |
| Seniors |
|---|
| "One of my top priorities as Council Member in District 28 will be to make our senior centers more dynamic, well funded and culturally sensitive. I will make sure our seniors live with dignity and with care. Whether living at home with family, independently or with help, I will make sure safety is first and foremost.
We can do small things immediately, like identify a list of seniors who need help shoveling snow during storm and provide assistance, for example. Other goals, like affordable senior housing, must also be in the pipeline. What has Richard done for seniors?
|
Endorsements
2017
David received endorsements from the following in 2017:[9]
- Alliance of South Asian American Labor
- Black Lives Caucus
- Communications Workers of America - District 1
- Muslim Democratic Club of New York
- New York State Immigrant Action Fund
- Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC
- StreetsPAC
- New York City Councilman Eric Ulrich
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 LinkedIn, "Richard David," accessed August 31, 2017
- ↑ New York City Administration for Children's Services, "Administration for Children's Services Org Chart," August 1, 2017
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Official Special Election Political Calendar," accessed February 12, 2020
- ↑ ‘’New York State,’’ “No. 202.12: Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency,” March 28, 2020
- ↑ City & State New York, "Cuomo cancels most June special elections," April 25, 2020
- ↑ QNS "What you need to know about the race to fill Michele Titus’ Assembly seat" January 10, 2020
- ↑ Ballotpedia staff, "Email correspondence with the New York City Board of Elections," July 14, 2017
- ↑ Richard David - City Council District 28, "Issues," accessed August 31, 2017
- ↑ Richard David - City Council District 28, "Who's Supporting Our Campaign?" accessed August 31, 2017
