Pace Press

Issue date: 9/8/04 Section: Features

Media Credit: Cristina DeLuca

Harvey Clarke is a professor in the political science department, and is currently running for United States Congress for the republican party with a campaign managed almost entirely by his students. An immigrant from Jamaica and former Pace University student himself, Professor Clarke shares his views on politics and why he should unseat his rival, a 22-year incumbent in Brooklyn. 
Pace Press: What district are you running for?
Harvey Clarke: We are running for the Tenth Congressional District in Brooklyn. 
PP: What is the District like?
HC: It's huge, that's the first thing. There are 750,000 people living in that district. It starts at Kings Plaza and then it goes all the way into Williamsburg and Downtown Brooklyn. 
PP: Why are you running?
HC: (Laughs) I knew that question was coming. Well, my students were the motivating factor, the students in my class who kept asking me, "Why haven't you made a run for political office?" They truly think I can make a difference. Another thing I keep saying is that [the campaign] is a new voice, a new voice for Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn, and New York overall, but especially in our district because the councilman who is there now (Edolphus Towns) does nothing in congress pretty much says nothing. He's been there for the past 22 years, and that voice is almost out of step now with New York. He voting record is something (shakes head)...if you look at the records you will se that most the voting issues are the little issues. The important issues are there but he has said nothing on them. So we need a new voice.
The other thing I want to say is that we need a diversification of votes. Hispanics and African Americans and minorities for the last 70 years or so, they have traditionally voted democrat. I remember the first time I told somebody that I was a republican and they said to me, "well, you don't look like a republican." And I said, well how the hell does a republican look? But certainly what they were saying to me is that republicans are not black. [Minorities] just don't instinctively vote democrat, it's time for them to say, "yes, I am willing to vote for the Republican Party if it suits my interests."  
PP: What is the greatest issue facing New York City right now?
HC: The issue of housing. It's right up there. Security is another big issues, and the education system. Those are the three primary issues right now. You know we could put some form of immigration up there too.  

Continued...

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