Harlem Election Guide: State Senate Race, Congressional Primary

HARLEM, NY — For the second time this summer, some Harlem residents are about to head to the polls to cast votes in primary races — in this case, a pair of challenges against two incumbent lawmakers.

Early voting starts Saturday for New York's Aug. 23 primary elections, which feature races for U.S. Congress and State Senate. A state court had struck down the new legislative districts this spring, forcing them to be redrawn and causing an unusual second primary, held weeks after the June races for State Assembly and statewide offices.

In Harlem, two contested races will be on the ballot this month. (If you're not sure how to vote, find your poll site and view a sample ballot here.)

Here's what to know about the Democratic primaries in Harlem:

Cleare faces Harmongoff in Senate District 30

The 30th State Senate District covers all of Central Harlem, West Harlem and Hamilton Heights. Its bounds shifted slightly during the recent, chaotic redistricting process, expanding to the east and west to cover more Harlem blocks while losing some territory on the Upper West Side.

Cordell Cleare has held the seat since last fall, when she won a special election to succeed Brian Benjamin, who had been appointed lieutenant governor. A longtime party leader and former City Council candidate, Cleare had been chosen by party members as their nominee, defeating five other candidates — including Shana Harmongoff.

Harmongoff, a former staffer in Benjamin's Senate office, is now challenging Cleare again in the Democratic primary. (Harmongoff also ran against Cleare as an independent candidate in last fall's special election, getting about 5 percent of the vote.)

Harmongoff has the support of progressive City Councilmember Kristin Richardson Jordan, while Cleare has been endorsed by much of the city's political establishment, including Mayor Eric Adams, U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Assemblymembers Al Taylor and Inez Dickens, and former Congressman Charlie Rangel.

Harmongoff's top priorities include helping businesses survive the pandemic, reforming the criminal justice system, and improving access to mental health care — especially for homeless New Yorkers, according to her website.

Cleare, meanwhile, has said she will focus on tenant protections (she is a co-sponsor of the good cause eviction bill that did not pass the legislature last session), combatting gun violence and improving public education — including by teaching Black history in the city's public schools.

Espaillat faces two opponents

At the federal level, Adriano Espaillat — who represents all of Harlem in Congress — faces two challengers as he seeks a fourth term.

They are Michael Hano, a seller of specialty pet foods, and Francisco Spies.

Hano, affiliated with the group Social Democrats of America, told the Riverdale Press that he decided to run mainly due to his animosity toward Espaillat, citing his prior support for Marisol Alcantara — a state senator who caucused with Republicans as part of the Independent Democratic Conference.

Little information is available about Spies, who has a YouTube channel but no visible campaign website.

No doubt, Espaillat will be heavily favored against both opponents, neither of whom has reported any fundraising.