Democrats Chose Candidates in City Race

By Nancy Peckenham

The unofficial results of Tuesday Democratic primary vote are in, giving first-time mayoral candidate Judy Kennedy 573 votes, nearly triple that of her opponent, Omari Shakur.

In the six-way race for the Democratic slot for two city council seats, two more newcomers, Gay Lee and Cedric Brown, came out with the most votes in the unofficial tally.

All three apparent winners of the Democratic primary were endorsed by the local Democratic committee.   Kennedy will face Republican candidate for mayor Christine Bello in the November general elecetion.  Omari Shakur has also filed to appear on the ballot in the mayor’s race under the Nu Voters Movement party but his petition is being challenged.  The two Democratic candidates for city council will face Republicans John F. Penney and John N. Giudice.

The unofficial vote results are:

Mayor

Judy Kennedy 573

Omari Shakur 206

Write-in 11

City Council

Cedric Brown 384

Gay Lee 287

Michael Gabor 243

Charles Kimbrough 223

Timothy Hayes-el 200

Shaneisha Strange 83

Write-in  21