STAFF EDITORIAL: The Best Men for the Heights

Elections for many local and statewide offices will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Although many Columbia students remain registered in their home districts, those who are registered to vote in New York City make up a large and potentially powerful voting bloc in Morningside Heights. With this in mind, Spectator endorses candidates in several important races.

Columbia is in New York's 15th Congressional District, where Democratic incumbent Charles Rangel is running against Republican Jessie A. Fields. Rangel, who was first elected to Congress in 1970 and has served since then, is one of the most powerful people in Harlem because of his intense dedication to his constituents. He knows the needs and wants of his district and has fought for them for more than 30 years. Spectator endorses Charles Rangel for a 16th term in Congress.

Morningside Heights is in two State Senate districts. Columbia students who registered to vote using a Lerner or McIntosh address are in the 30th District, which includes Morningside Heights north of 115th Street and east of Broadway. Democratic incumbent David Paterson, CC '77, is running against Republican Alphonzo Mosely in the 30th District. Paterson was first elected to the State Senate in 1985. Since then, he has worked hard for the rights of minorities, who make up a large percentage of his constituents. Spectator endorses David Paterson for State Senate.

Morningside Heights south of 115th Street and west of Broadway is in the 31st District, a newly-created district stretching in a narrow band along the Hudson from the Upper West Side to the Bronx-Westchester County border. Democratic incumbent Eric Schneiderman, who formerly represented a district with more white voters on the West Side, defeated popular Dominican former city council member Guillermo Linares in the closely-watched September primary. Schneiderman faces Republican Bienvenido Toribio on Nov. 5. Schneiderman, who has received the endorsements of many elected officials, unions, and political clubs, also receives Spectator's endorsement.

In the 69th State Assembly District, Democrat Daniel O'Donnell is running against Republican Kalman C. Sporn for the seat vacated by longtime Assemblyman Edward Sullivan. O'Donnell, a lawyer, is a member of Community Board Nine and the Morningside Heights Historic District Committee. He ran for Assembly in 1998 and was the victor in a crowded Democratic primary in September. Spectator endorses Daniel O'Donnell for State Assembly as a candidate who knows the concerns of Morningside Heights residents.