{UAH} Adem Bunkeddeko, son of Ugandan refugees, nearly won a seat to the U.S. Congress,
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ADEM BUNKEDDEKO, SON OF UGANDAN REFUGEES, NEARLY WINS SEAT TO U.S. CONGRESS
http://www.blackstarnews.com/ny-watch/politics/adem-bunkeddeko-son-of-ugandan-refugees-nearly-wins-seat-to-us
Adem Bunkeddeko, 30, the Harvard-educated son of Ugandan refugees
nearly won a seat to the U.S. Congress, losing by barely 1,000 votes
to Yvette Clarke, the incumbent of 12 years.
The 9th Congressional District is in Brooklyn, New York, and this was
the primary election. The District is heavily Democratic and whomever
wins the primary race normally defeats token challenges from a
Republican. Clarke barely beat Bunkeddeko, who is running for
political office for the first time ever, about 52% to 48%; Clarke
herself is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants.
According to a biographical video on his website
www.ademforcongress.com, Bunkeddeko's family fled civil war in Uganda
in 1980.
Bunkeddeko got a tremendous boost when he was endorsed by The New York
Times. He attacked Rep. Clarke, claiming that in all the years she had
represented the District in Washington, she had never originated a
single bill which was passed into law. Clarke on the other hand
attacked the challenger as a political novice who was backed by large
business interests from outside the District. She claimed he would
represent the interest of wealthy people and not support initiatives
that would support low-income communities such as affordable housing.
But Bunkeddeko nearly pulled off a remarkable upset and his political
future, at only the age of 30, seems to be very bright. He could run
for other political office or run against Clarke again in two years
time. Bunkeddeko said he is a community organizer, which recalls the
experience of former President Barack Obama who was also a community
organizer in Chicago, before launching his political career. Obama
also lost his first race for Congress --by a far wider margin. He was
later elected to the Senate, and the rest is history.
Bunkeddeko is reported to have spent about $231,000 for the race,
compared to Clarke's $620,000. He is a graduate of Harvard College and
Harvard Business School. He grew up poor in a one-bedroom apartment in
Queens, New York, with three siblings and his parents before attending
college.
The last time Clarke had a primary challenger was in 2012 and she won
by about 76 points. She had no challengers in the last four primary
races; then Bunkeddeko arrived on the scene like a political meteor.
--
Milton Allimadi, Publisher/CEO
The Black Star News
www.blackstarnews.com
P.O. Box 1472
New York, N.Y., 10274
(646) 261-7566
--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
http://www.blackstarnews.com/ny-watch/politics/adem-bunkeddeko-son-of-ugandan-refugees-nearly-wins-seat-to-us
Adem Bunkeddeko, 30, the Harvard-educated son of Ugandan refugees
nearly won a seat to the U.S. Congress, losing by barely 1,000 votes
to Yvette Clarke, the incumbent of 12 years.
The 9th Congressional District is in Brooklyn, New York, and this was
the primary election. The District is heavily Democratic and whomever
wins the primary race normally defeats token challenges from a
Republican. Clarke barely beat Bunkeddeko, who is running for
political office for the first time ever, about 52% to 48%; Clarke
herself is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants.
According to a biographical video on his website
www.ademforcongress.com, Bunkeddeko's family fled civil war in Uganda
in 1980.
Bunkeddeko got a tremendous boost when he was endorsed by The New York
Times. He attacked Rep. Clarke, claiming that in all the years she had
represented the District in Washington, she had never originated a
single bill which was passed into law. Clarke on the other hand
attacked the challenger as a political novice who was backed by large
business interests from outside the District. She claimed he would
represent the interest of wealthy people and not support initiatives
that would support low-income communities such as affordable housing.
But Bunkeddeko nearly pulled off a remarkable upset and his political
future, at only the age of 30, seems to be very bright. He could run
for other political office or run against Clarke again in two years
time. Bunkeddeko said he is a community organizer, which recalls the
experience of former President Barack Obama who was also a community
organizer in Chicago, before launching his political career. Obama
also lost his first race for Congress --by a far wider margin. He was
later elected to the Senate, and the rest is history.
Bunkeddeko is reported to have spent about $231,000 for the race,
compared to Clarke's $620,000. He is a graduate of Harvard College and
Harvard Business School. He grew up poor in a one-bedroom apartment in
Queens, New York, with three siblings and his parents before attending
college.
The last time Clarke had a primary challenger was in 2012 and she won
by about 76 points. She had no challengers in the last four primary
races; then Bunkeddeko arrived on the scene like a political meteor.
--
Milton Allimadi, Publisher/CEO
The Black Star News
www.blackstarnews.com
P.O. Box 1472
New York, N.Y., 10274
(646) 261-7566
--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
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