Education, helping small businesses key for 141st Assembly candidates

“Especially those minority- and women-owned businesses who've been hit hardest during these unprecedented times, and yet have received the least amount of financial support,” said incumbent Democrat Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes.

An assemblywoman since 2003, Peoples-Stokes was named majority leader in 2018, the first woman and the first African American to serve in the position.

She also has an extreme voter advantage in the 141st District, where there are 59,868 active Democrat voters, compared to 5,059 active Republican voters.

Even her challenger, Republican Sean Miles, seems to know he's a long-shot to win.

"Locally, Republicans don’t often run in the city," he said. "I was given an opportunity, and I'm taking advantage of the opportunity as best I can."

Miles said he’s “big on small businesses and entrepreneurship without a bunch of government regulations, without big government looking over your shoulder all the time.”

This is Miles’ first attempt at public office, and he's running because he doesn’t think an effective job is being done.

Voters are paying attention now more than ever, he said.

“This one is very special in many regards because of the atmosphere nationally, and now more than ever people are paying attention to their local leadership,” he said. “More eyes are tuned in and more ears are perked up to what they’re being told and to what they’re seeing, and seeing if the two match up when they walk into the election booth.”

Constituents feel like they’re not being heard and that they don’t make a difference, and those are big issues, Miles said, adding that people feel disconnected from elected officials. 

“All over there’s a lot of people that feel left out, ignored ... with the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. “They’re not getting the answers that they’re looking for from their leaders. They’re not getting money from Congress. On a local level, people just want life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.”

Safe schools are key, both candidates said.

"If you give a child a fair shot, you’ll be amazed at what they can accomplish," Miles said.

Peoples-Stokes said she would continue to fight for “quality” education for all students, kindergarten through college, and increase diversity and the cultural competency of teachers at each level. 

This is by far the most critical election in recent times, Peoples-Stokes said.

“Health care is at stake, jobs are at stake, our civil rights are at stake, women's rights are at stake, LGTBQ+ rights are at stake, our democracy is at stake, and we cannot afford to sit at home and just let this election go by without our involvement,” she said. “It’s not just about us, it’s about our future.”

An Assembly bill to legalize cannabis for adult use is a top priority for her.

“With a significant percentage of revenue going back into those communities most negatively impacted by the so-called War on Drugs, we can rejuvenate, rebuild and restore those forgotten communities, as well as generate much-needed revenue back into the state of New York,” she said.

And in light of Covid-19, it’s more clear than ever that quality, universal health care is critical, she said.

“Due to the social determinants of health, communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by this virus, both in health care and economically,” she said.

• • •

Name: Sean Miles

Age: 52

Party line: Republican

Background: Food vendor/owner of Taylor Made Food concession stand; Kensington High School graduate

• • •

Name: Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes

Age: 68

Party line: Democrat

Background: Assembly majority leader; earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY Buffalo State 

Voter’s guide to the 2020 election