When I first ran for public office (state assembly) in 1998, I was called for an interview by the Brooklyn leaders of the Independence Political Party; so I showed up. I was reached out to by some people within that party, with whom I was politically connected. We met in a Brooklyn Diner (Lindenwood). I thought it was a strange venue for such an interview, but I held my sometimes-wayward tongue in check that night. There were many candidates seeking office(s) that year, and quite a few insurgents showed up to be interviewed. I thought I did well in the session, and their officials must have concurred since they offered me their line on the November ballot.
A few days later, I was given instructions as to how I should go about collecting petitions from voters registered in the Independence party, and I spent quite a few dollars to have a coordinator manage the petition process. Eventually I filed with the Board of Elections and figured that was the end of that until the November elections. Much to my surprise (and chagrin), I was promptly served with legal papers and my petition was challenged in the court. I was stunned. After all, these officials guaranteed that everything will sail smoothly through: Wilson-Pekula and all. I refused to spend money on lawyers in order to contest the challenge, so I was knocked off the ballot. I guess I should have learned my lesson right there and then; but I didn’t.
A few weeks ago I got a letter from the Independence Party. It came a few weeks after a phone call from so other party official, informing me that they were looking for candidates in Brooklyn to run on their line this upcoming November. Eventually we worked out an interview. It was held in a quaint lil restaurant in near Bushwick Avenue; de-ja-vu all over again; right?
I had two people with me: my Director of Field Operations, and also one of my main advisors. I thought I did well (again); they both thought I was fantastic. Mr. Melvin Brown -the chairman of this one-member committee (the other person arrived after I left) – also thought my performance was pretty good. He called me within hours to tell me likewise, and also to tell me that they were recommending me to the higher-ups in the party’s hierarchy, so that I could run on their line in the general election. I was elated. Then two days later he left a congratulatory message on my answering machine, informing me that I had gotten the endorsement of the party. I was even more elated.
I called my attorney (Mr. Terry Hinds) and instructed him to start negotiating with the party, as to what to do next, etcetera. For almost a week, there seemed to be various snags, misinformation, miscommunication and outright misrepresentation, on the part of those with whom he came into contact from the party. It was somewhat frustrating.
I went ahead and ordered materials (voters lists, mailing-labels, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.), that cost me a few hundred dollars which I could ill-afford. Jerry Skurnik is my witness here, since I ordered stuff from “Prime New York” (a political consulting firm that develops lists, numbers, stats, info, etc. for candidates). I even gave a verbal commitment to having notaries carry my Independence Party petition. Then yesterday I was informed by Mr. Brown that the higher-ups of the party had decided to stay out of the race in the 40th district. Just like that; no real explanation of worth.
All this, has been rather disappointing (again) for me, and I hope Ms. Leonora Fulani could step in here and offer me an explanation as to what’s going on within this party. Is this a “Mickey-Mouse” political party or what? It’s time for the minor parties to get serious: really.
Stay tuned-in folks (always).