NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — Several Caribbean candidates are on the ballot in the New York Democratic Primary on Tuesday.

Among the candidates in key races are Caribbean-American Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants; Haitian-born New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse; New York State Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants; Trinidadian-born Assembly Member Jaime Williams; District Leader Anthony Beckford, the son of Jamaican immigrants; and Guyanese-born lawyer Michelle DeSouza-Forte, who is running for a Civil Court judgeship in Brooklyn.

In seeking re-election in the predominantly Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, Clarke told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that “proven fighters” are currently needed in the United States (US) Congress.

“The stakes could not be higher, and my determination for this community could not be stronger,” said the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). “We have to fight like our lives depend on it. Act like our nation’s future is on the line. Vote like our livelihoods depend on it, because they do.”

“So, Brooklyn, are you with me? Are we ready to fight back?” Clarke asked. “Because our community is counting on us, and the soul of this nation is on the line, let’s get out there. When we fight, we win.”

Clarke said she takes her passion for her Caribbean heritage to Congress, where she also co-chairs the Congressional Caribbean Caucus and works to foster relationships between the United States and the Caribbean Community.

Clarke is a senior member of the US House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee and has been a CBC member since coming to Congress in 2007.

In the 58th New York State Assembly District in Brooklyn, Narcisse and Chandler-Waterman are in a bitter feud for district leadership.

“Today is the day,” Narcisse told constituents early Tuesday. “Polls are open until 9:00 pm, and I am asking for your vote.”

Narcisse said she is running for re-election as the Democratic state committee member, otherwise known as district leader, for the 58th Assembly District.

“It is an unpaid role, but it is how East Flatbush, Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Brownsville keep a voice where the real decisions get made,” she said.

“I spent my career as a nurse before I ever ran for office. I know what it means to take care of people, and that is exactly what I have done in this seat since 2022. I am not done.”

Narcisse said she was “proud to have the support” of the former representative for the 59th Assembly District and former US Ambassador to Jamaica, Nick Perry.

She said Jamaican-born Perry first asked her “to serve in this role and [he] stands with me again today”.

On the other hand, Chandler-Waterman said she looks forward to making her case to the voters of Assembly District 58 that “I can best represent their interests when it comes to being a part of a Kings County (Brooklyn) Democratic Committee who put people before politics”.

She said her election as district leader would help “ensure a fair and equitable judicial nomination process, recommending responsible poll workers and election inspectors to work on Election Day, and continue my grassroots advocacy to educate voters”.

A district leader is a representative elected by registered Democrats in their Assembly District to serve on the New York State Democratic Committee, which is the official governing body of the state party.

The role involves nominating judges, voting on party rules, platform positions, and party leadership at the state level. It is an elected but unpaid position, and it runs on a two-year cycle tied to the Primary calendar.

Jamaican-American District Leader Anthony Beckford, a long-standing community advocate, mentor and activist, is also seeking re-election for district leader for the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn.

Since taking office in 2024, Beckford said he has remained consistent and dedicated to the work and his campaign vision.

The United States Marine Corps veteran said that he has appointed the most poll workers in Brooklyn; has helped to elevate judges who have deep connections to the communities; has remained consistent in the fight to protect democracy; has created five new youth and senior initiatives that help to provide services, mentorship and much-needed resources; and brought more resources to the community.

Beckford said he has remained “outspoken against Trump, his administration and the racist, tyrannical policies that they have implemented”.

He said he is a “true coalition builder” and has partnered with Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, also the son of Jamaican immigrants; Haitian-born Council Member Rita Joseph; and many of his other fellow elected officials and community-based organisations to advocate for education, affordable low-income housing, affordable medical services, the end to deed theft, protect workers’ rights, and make sure that “the voices and demands of the people are heard throughout all levels of government”.

As a grassroots, community-based elected official, Beckford said he looks forward to being re-elected in the 43rd Assembly District in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary.

Trinidadian-born New York State Assembly Member Jaime Williams is underscoring a broad coalition of support that includes elected officials, labour organisations, faith leaders and community advocates from across Brooklyn.

Williams, representative for the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, said the endorsements reflect her work on affordability, neighbourhood investments, community services, and support for homeowners, tenants, seniors, and working families throughout the 59th Assembly District.

Williams said the support reflects years of working alongside residents and stakeholders in securing resources, funding and opportunities that benefit local families.

“I am grateful for the support of so many community leaders, organisations and elected officials who share my commitment to serving the people of our district,” she said. “Together, we have worked to bring resources, investments and opportunities to our neighbourhoods.”

“And I look forward to continuing that work on behalf of the families, seniors, homeowners, and young people who call this community home…I encourage every eligible voter to participate in this election and make their voice heard,” she added.

DeSouza-Forte said she has been receiving a growing coalition of community and Democratic leaders’ endorsements for Civil Court judge in New York.

DeSouza-Forte, who is running for a judgeship in the 6th Municipal District in Kings County (Brooklyn), said the New York City Bar has “approved” her candidacy.

She also disclosed that she has earned the endorsement of several elected officials, including Caribbean nationals, in Brooklyn.

In addition, DeSouza-Forte said the New York Progressive Action Network has endorsed her candidacy.

“I am honoured to receive the support of respected elected officials, district leaders and community advocates who have dedicated themselves to serving Brooklyn. These endorsements reflect a shared belief that our courts must be fair, impartial and accessible to everyone who enters them.

“I am grateful for their confidence in my experience, integrity and commitment to public service,” she added. “Local Civil Court judges make decisions that affect families, tenants, consumers, workers, and small businesses every day.”

“I am running because I believe every person who comes before the court deserves fairness, professionalism and a judge who understands the real-life impact of every decision,” continued DeSouza-Forte, who is currently on leave from her position as an assistant corporation counsel with the New York City Law Department.

DeSouza-Forte, who migrated from Guyana in 1985, grew up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and currently resides in Canarsie, also in Brooklyn.