While most of the attention during the Democratic primary and in the last weeks leading up to the general election has been on the twists in the mayoral race, there’s been something equally unexpected about the city school board race. With such dismal performance of city students by almost every standard, the dissatisfaction with school […]
Jose Cruz
Gantt, for good?
I’ve been skimming the postmortems on last night’s Democratic primary for State Assembly with candidates David Gantt, Jose Cruz, and John Lightfoot. The smart money was always on Gantt, but I don’t think anyone expected a blowout. The longtime incumbent earned more votes than Cruz and Lightfoot combined. Turnout was pathetic, but it always is. […]
[UPDATED] Gantt survives primary
Assembly member David Gantt survived a primary challenge from two opponents and will now face Green Party candidate Drew Langdon in the November general election. Gantt received 3,278 votes with all of the election districts reporting. That was more than the combined total received by his opponents; City school board member Jose Cruz received 952 […]
Community leaders endorse Gantt
State Assembly member David Gantt got a big boost this morning when a group of influential black ministers and community leaders endorsed his re-election. The endorsement was announced during a press conference in the FIGHT Village Community Center Elaine Cook-Greene, the executive director of the Coalition of North East Associations, listed organizations and programs that […]
Familiar names in Assembly battle
David Gantt, Jose Cruz, and John Lightfoot will face off in the 137th Assembly District primary.
David the Goliath
The Democratic primary for the State Assembly’s 137th district is sure to be a referendum on the long career of incumbent David Gantt. Gantt has represented the district for more than three decades. On September 13, voters will decide if they still want or need the influence Gantt’s seniority offers, or whether the district is ripe for a fresh face.
Decision pending on Cruz, Lightfoot petitions
Jose Cruz and John Lightfoot will have to wait for a judge’s ruling on their petitions. The Democrats want to run a primary against incumbent State Assembly member David Gantt. But a citizen, Ruth Brooks-Ward, is challenging the validity of their petitions in State Supreme Court. A second hearing on the case was held today, […]
Gantt moves to increase influence in Dem committees
The leader of at least one city Democratic committee appears to be the target of some intra-party maneuvering by Assembly member David Gantt. The situation centers around an arcane bit of party activity: selecting who will sit on city legislative district committees. Typically, the legislative district leader nominates people to serve on the committees. In […]
POLITICS: Cruz, Lightfoot petitions are valid
The county Board of Elections has ruled that the candidate petitions submitted by Jose Cruz and John Lightfoot are valid. The petitions were challenged by Ruth Brooks-Ward, a known associate of State Assembly member David Gantt. Cruz and Lightfoot are challenging the incumbent Gantt, setting up a three-way Democratic primary for the Assembly seat. But […]
[UPDATED] Jose Cruz kicks off Assembly campaign
UPDATE (JUNE 4): José Cruz says that for too long the 137th Assembly District has lacked effective representation, and that’s why he’s waging a primary challenge against incumbent Assembly member David Gantt. Cruz kicked-off his campaign at the Public Market on Saturday. “We’ve been waiting 30 years,” Cruz says. “We’ve been at the back of […]






