The campaign to fill Sheldon Silver’s former seat in the New York State Assembly is attracting quite a bit of citywide attention. This afternoon, the New York Times offers an overview of the six-way race.
As you probably know by now, the Democratic Primary takes place Sept. 13 in the 65th Assembly District. The story plays up the district’s ethnic diversity as a potentially decisive factor:
Anchored by the oldest Chinatown in New York City, the Manhattan district is one of the city’s most ethnically diverse and the candidates reflect that mix: Three were born in Asia — two in Hong Kong, one in Taiwan. One is the child of South Asian immigrants. One came to New York from Puerto Rico as a child. One has roots in the area’s longstanding Jewish immigrant population. Ethnicity is not always a factor in elections, but in a primary that could be decided by hundreds of votes, it very well could be, said Doug Muzzio, a professor of political affairs at Baruch College. “In a close race it can make the difference,” Mr. Muzzio said. “I’m talking about ethnic identity politics, straight out.”
You can read the full story here.
