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The Haitian Sensation? Front runner could be NY First Haitian-American Elected Official

Monday, February 19th, 2007

The city council will get a couple of fresh faces on Tuesday - and one of them could be the first Haitian-American elected official in New York's history.

Mathieu Eugene, 54, a Haitian-born doctor-turned-youth counselor, is considered a front-runner in tomorrow's special election in Brooklyn.

"People are already telling me they can't wait to celebrate with me, but I don't take anything for granted," Eugene said.

Another candidate would be a first for his community: Mohammad Razvi, 36, a businessman born in Pakistan, also has a chance of winning the seat in the 40th district, which includes parts of Crown Heights, Flatbush and east Flatbush.

Most of the other eight candidates have Caribbean roots, as do many of the voters in the district. Haitians have a smaller base.

If the Caribbean vote is splintered, Eugene could win by a slender margin, even some of his rivals acknowledge.

"With 10 candidates running, everyone has a good chance," said hopeful Jesse Hamilton, 44, a Bronx-born lawyer and Democratic district leader who traces his roots to Barbados.

Razvi is given less of a chance of scoring a breakthrough for Pakistanis because of their small voting base in the district. But he was one of the best financed candidates, raising more than $123,000.

Eugene doesn't live in the district but in adjoining Canarsie. He deflected criticism about his residency from his rivals by noting that he has worked in the community for years, providing activities for children and vital health screenings for all area residents.

"I am going to make sure I get people across the community to get together to work for the community," Eugene promised.

Legally, Council candidates can run in a district without living there, but they must move in if elected.

The seat was occupied for the past 15 years by the mother and daughter team of Una and Yvette Clarke, both Democrats.

Una became the first Jamaican-born member of the Council in 1992, serving until her daughter succeeded her in 2002.

Yvette Clarke relinquished the seat after being elected last year to the Brooklyn congressional seat formerly held by Major Owens, who retired.

Both Clarkes are backing Eugene.

The Brooklyn contest is one of two special City Council elections being held.

On Staten Island, Vincent Ignizio, 32, an assemblyman, and Manny Innamorato, 42, who manages technology for Yonkers, are vying for the Council seat vacated by Republican Andrew Lanza, who won a state Senate seat last year.