Room Eight
posted by Rock Hackshaw, Tue, 08/05/2008 - 8:41am
LINK

Yesterday morning Ms. Cenceria Edwards woke up to find human excrement at her door. It is another in a long chain of events, which have unfolded since Ms. Edwards started collecting signatures, for a petition to run against Assemblywoman Annette Robinson -in Brooklyn’s 56th Assembly District (Bedford-Stuyvesant). Not only did the shit stink and smell up the place, it also made another psychological impact on her two kids (daughters); again. It has been an emotional roller-coaster for the Edwards family since June folks. This is traumatic.

This is so unfair; and all because one brave lady chose to run for the state assembly. Look people; seats are not owned by any clan or kin; not in Bed-Stuy nor in Bed-Room. It’s a democracy (at least that’s what they tell you in ivy-league universities). So why the heck is all this being allowed to go down?

Before I go further with this, let me make it clear that there is bombshell evidence of wrongdoings that I am sitting on; and I am also investigating claims which if proven true, will be embarrassing to many an elected official and some of those who are related by blood. You see people have eyes and ears. Plus, people leave phone records and recordings; others have phone cameras. Plus many people know the law and others refuse to be afraid, bullied and/or intimidated.

Yesterday, I went to the Board of Elections at 345 Adams Street in Brooklyn, to do a line by line challenge with my client Ms. Cenceria Edwards. Her signatures are being challenged by the incumbent Ms. Robinson. Ms. Edwards filed 1348 signatures, needing 500 to qualify for the ballot. The BOE gave her 628 valid ones and placed her on the ballot. But it doesn’t end here.

During the petition process, some of the supporters of Ms. Edwards -she is both an attorney and certified public accountant- were harassed, threatened and intimidated into abandoning her effort. Some were offered bribes to switch their allegiance(s), or to even lie in court against Ms. Edwards and her petition team. Plus, as I told you before, rocks were thrown through her windows. TWICE. Things could have gotten fatal already.

Then after the filing her opposition specked her submission and alleged that 141 were fraudulent. What they apparently did was pull every buff-card of all 1348 signers, and where they found some kind of deviation from the signature on file (including people in their eighties), they claimed fraud. Then to bolster their case, they now want to bring in people who suddenly can’t remember signing their names to her sheet. They even have a lawyer who is supposed to come in, and claim that she was tricked into signing, since she didn’t understand what she was signing: a friggin lawyer with this crap. Plus of course the infamous woman who was allegedly berated in public, by Annette Robinson herself; just for helping Ms. Edwards collect some signatures. Remember this woman’s home was saved from foreclosure by someone we now all know: Ms. Cenceria Edwards. Talk about ingratitude.

What really broke it up for me took place yesterday while in the line by line. I saw the referee disallow a signature that I saw taken with my own two eyes. I am willing, ready and able to go on the witness stand, and testify that an attorney I know personally actually came in and signed the petition sheet, on the day in question. The referee said the signature was fraudulent and illegible. I was livid. My client admonished me to calm down. What she doesn’t know is that they often steal your signatures in the line by line process, and that most of the time you never recover them.

At the end of the first stage of the line by line process, Ms. Edwards still has about 615 signatures validated by the BOE. It is more than a hundred over the required number. In the second phase she can only increase this number and not lose anymore signatures. Now comes the good part: they have even alleged that the candidate’s own signature if fraudulent. So Thursday they are going for a fraud trial. But before this, they are trying to throw out her validating papers on a technicality.

You see Ms. Edwards -acting as her own attorney in order to save costs- did not do a verification letter. The technicality is that the opposing lawyer has to give her 24 hours notice that he is raising it as an issue (see CPLR): and he didn’t. The judge has suspended ruling on this matter pending the line by line. If she loses this ruling she cannot gain signatures she may have on the petition, even if they are found to be those of registered democrats residing in the district. What a ballot-access system!

Yesterday Mrs. Annette Robinson proudly showed up at the board. She told someone that Ms. Edwards disrespected her (by running against her). It was the most ludicrous statement ever heard from a sitting assemblywoman. It reflects a similar statement being bandied about by one of her relatives. There are witnesses to all this.

All in all, it shows you the sense of entitlement from this old woman. Mrs. Robinson is so old that she was a waitress at the Last Supper, and now she feels that because of that she should be sanctified. This sense of entitlement led her to block out two parking spots in front of her house with police barricades, forbidding her neighbors from parking freely on the street. She seems to believe that Edwards needs her blessing or permission before she could run for the 56th Assembly seat. This is so friggin ridiculous it isn’t funny anymore.

Robinson’s minions have gone to near everyone who signed Ms. Edwards’s sheets, and have questioned them, coerced or attempted to, implied all sorts of fraudulent things with lying tactics and with veiled threats, actually threatened (even physically) one or two of the signers and subscribing witnesses, intimidated, and even attempted to bribe some others. There are many people/witnesses to all this, ready to come forth and testify. It is time for the Brooklyn District Attorney to investigate.

To this day, DA Charles Hynes hasn’t stepped in to vet these violations of people’s civil rights. He was quick to recently say however, that the people he knows in Brooklyn politics are not corrupt, and that Brooklyn’s politics is not a cesspool. Will someone get a cane for this man’s brain?

And there has been no mainstream media coverage of Ms. Edwards’s fight, despite two police reports, my numerous columns on this issue, and neighbors who witnessed some of this crap. Why is it that these things seem to happen only to insurgents, when challenging incumbents who have been in office for many years -like Mrs. Robinson?

Next week Annette’s son Taharka Robinson is supposed to be ordained as a minister; so he will officially be a man of the cloth so to speak. I have been told not to write this article because of the fear of reprisals from some of Taharka’s minions; well now I have written it. So now the world knows, and any fears for my safety must be put in prayer. To the people who are concerned for me, let me just say that I know Taharka well and consider him a friend in politics (one operative to another). I wish him well in all his future endeavors. He has done some good work with minority youth lately, and I hope that he continues along the rehabilitative path without straying.

As writers/ journalists/ bloggers/ reporters and such, we sometimes have to make the courageous calls: this is one. The truth is the truth; my mother always said that the truth shall set you free: I am free. After I saw what happened yesterday I was determined that this story will continue to get out, until mainstream media takes it on. They can’t keep ignoring this; especially Errol Louis of the New York Daily News, since he knows many of the players involved here, and he also knows the area quite well. This type of behavior shouldn’t be tolerated anywhere in US politics. Candidates should always be able to rein in their rabid supporters.

The reason being advanced for this unlawful behavior, by those who are ostensibly supporters of Methuzaler’s sister (Annette Robinson), is that she doesn’t need a race (challenge) this year; since they claim that her husband is terminally ill. They are advancing that opposition to her this year, will be insensitive and disrespectful. It’s like those in Manhattan who are afraid to tell DA Morgentheau that it is time to step off. Why?

Is it because these people have held office for such a long time that we must grant them lifelong status until death or infinity? Puhleaseeeeeeeeeee. Both Annette and Morgy have long past their usefulness as electeds and we all know this. So leave already. And take Al Vann too. In fact take the whole bloody lot; including Charlie Rangel. Just don’t replace Ed Towns with Kevin Powell (Powell is not deserving). Plus Towns will be retiring in due course; no?

I am sure there are people reading this who think I am kidding, but I swear to you that I am not. These are actual reasons being advanced out there as to why all this aggression is coming towards Ms. Edwards. I could only wish her husband the best of health care and such; but his illness cannot hold-up the ideals of democracy to blackmail. Someone at the BOE reminded us that when the husband of assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs (#42) died; she still got a challenge. They also said that they believe it was during her mourning period, and that it surely didn’t get to all this thuggery.

Look, my client has never wanted me to blow this up as I have done: and I have defied her too. But the truth is the truth, and I hope that the Robinson’s look in the mirror if they are party to all/or any of this, or if they know anything about this at all; the least they could do is publicly admonish their supporters to cease and desist from all this crap. This shit must end. This is the USA, not some third world country where intimidation, murder, mayhem and madness follow every election like a hearse; and is tolerated and expected in some quarters.

There have been mounting pressure on Ms. Edwards to withdraw her candidacy; it seems that there is great fear in the Robinson camp that Annette is rather vulnerable to being defeated this year, after so long a political career. I still think that Annette Robinson is a prohibitive favorite in this upcoming race (if it ever happens), and that Ms. Edwards is nothing but a long shot underdog. Maybe I am wrong.

You see, all over the district people are saying that they are tired of the Robinson/Al Vann combo, and many are caught up in Barack Obama’s “change” movement. Ms. Edwards is steadfast that she will face the voters: win, lose or draw. She is very determined for one who is a political rookie. She can also be quite stubborn at times (and believe me when I say I know this from first-hand experience/lol). They can try, but they are surely not going to intimidate her into withdrawing her candidacy; she has come too far since I first met with her 8 months ago. She is also a tough cookie, despite shedding a tear or two this morning.

If anyone out there in blogland is interested in making a contribution to Ms. Edwards’s campaign, they can call either 1-917-453-3526 or 1-718-666-1117 (she didn’t approve this either, but I did it anyway). It will be a donation towards keeping hopes of a true democracy alive. Send a message to those who are willing to subvert the democratic process for their own selfish reasons. Do this for Cousin Rocky folks. Okay. If they find me with my skull cracked open then you will have to wonder why/lol.

Stay tuned-in folks; democracy is not a spectator sport, nor is it for those who are chicken-hearted. Believe me when I say that no one is going to make me a martyr; so let not your heart be troubled, ye of little faith/lol.



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This is Crap and It Must
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 11:13am.
Rock: This is no surprise. A friend of mine is running for female district leader in the 47th AD. Her name is Jeannie May. She's a smart, intutitive, hard working hospice nurse. This is the type of person we need to help all the people of the district. The incumbent Dilia Schack, is a piece of work. More like a piece of S#$t. She's also challenging Jeannie's petitions. In fact Dilia sent down 2 goons to her apt. to give her papers to go down to the BOE. This is a form of intimidation so the challenger drops out. They are really something down there (BOE). Afterall, they are appinted by the party bosses & they favor the incumbents. Their jobs are on the line if they cross the incumbents. When will the BOE have an impartial body to review the petitions? The system is stacked against any outsider from being on the ballot. You are right Rock: This crap must stop. But whose going to take the lead?

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totally agree.......
Submitted by Rock Hackshaw on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 11:46am.
We need to pressure the syatem to reform itself. we ALL must take the lead my friend; every last one of us in the reform camp.



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This is Crap and It Must
Submitted by Jeff Feldman (not verified) on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 12:10pm.
Rock this has gone on for decades. Welcome to the club. There no reformers in the city anymore, even CBID and IND supports Vito's machine judges.

I sure you aware that they are playing with you in court to block your candidate from using her resources to campaign, not protect ballot access.





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Poor insurgents keep running into a buzzsaw
Submitted by Cynical Negro on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 12:39pm.
Whew! Your anger in this post is palpable, Rock.

You are no doubt aware that the media, law enforcement, elected officials, government agencies and courts all participate in, and benefit from, the political process. Only collective, determined action over an extended period of time will ever change it. Periodic insurgencies, even strong ones, won't be enough. A new movement is required.

As to claims of unlawful behavior...well, the media is often loathe to publicize such claims, especially against the incumbents off which they "feed". Complaints by insurgents are viewed as veiled attempts to level the playing field, often because insurgents lack the money and organization to forcefully compete with incumbents.

The utopian view is that rock throwing and other attempts at political intimidation are disgraceful and have no place in the electoral process. But reality is very different.

As to Ms. Edwards - well, I wouldn't place any bets on getting help from law enforcement. Unless the "bombshell evidence" you possess involves easily identifiable people on audio and/or video recordings, then the DA will probably just file a complaint and do little else.





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This is Crap and It Must
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 12:57pm.
Does anyone know how many candidates have been removed from the ballot by the Board of Education and the Courts I understand some candidates are still in court all over the city today.
When will Jerry Skurnik do this story? Too close to the people removing challengers from the ballot I guess





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Query
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 2:17pm.
How do we know it is human excrement? Did you examine it personally? Are you an expert in the distinctive features of human versus canine excrement?

Yes, this is crap, but what kind of crap is it?



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The law is being abused by politicos?
Submitted by Cynical Negro on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 2:18pm.
Of course there are candidates "still in court all over the city." Why should politics be different from any other arena where the law is used to intimidate, overpower or just wear people down? People use the law and the courts to advance both serious - and frivolous - claims all the time!

This is why insurgents in NY need to set create a Legal Fund just to handle the legal manuevering that takes place in July & August.



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This is Crap and It Must
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 4:12pm.
Rock,

And as you well know, the next step will be something like Marty Connor going to Court to support Robinson and knock your candidate off. The whole process stinks, and that's even without the shit on her doorstep. Insurgents have no chance in this despicable game.



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Connor
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 6:02pm.
is not doing any election law cases this year

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Any People from Bannana Republics Read This Blog?
Submitted by Larry Littlefield on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 6:43pm.
How does the "democracy" back home compare with this? I used to say that New York State was as much of a democracy as Mexico. Then Mexico had some democratic reforms, and it was no longer fair to insult that country by comparing it with New York State.
Democracy is relative. There are "elections" in North Korea.


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Responding to 12:57
Submitted by Jerry Skurnik on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 7:02pm.
In the past, I have posted a report on, what I thought were interesting, petition challenges at the BOE. This year, I did not do so because the hearings seemed pretty cut & dried. The candidates that I saw removed from the ballot seemed to be removed because of simply not submitting enough valid signatures - there did not seem to be any body removed because of technicalities. Based on Rock's report, it seems that the technical challenges this year are in court.

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This is Crap and It Must
Submitted by Come on Jerry (not verified) on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 7:16pm.
Who was removed at BOE and with the courts and why?

Why the coverup



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JEANNIE MAY
Submitted by ROSALIE907 (not verified) on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 9:35pm.
Is a friend of mine also and I can attest to what has been stated. I thought we lived in AMERICA where anyone who wants to run for office can but it seems to me that Party bosses choose who we elect and who we don't. You're right about BOE, it should be a City (or State) job and not one given out as a party favor. Are you aware that Vito Fossella's mother works for the BOE?

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Rock
Submitted by Gatemouth on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 10:13pm.
Any comments concerning Alice Palmer?



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America Didn't Happen By Accident
Submitted by Larry Littlefield on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 7:02am.
"I thought we lived in AMERICA where anyone who wants to run for office can"
The natural course of events seems to be for it to gradually disappear.


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A Fair System for Brezhnev's Soviet Union and New York
Submitted by Oneshirt on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 8:06am.
New York Ruling Polit Bureau A Board of Elections chosen and staffed by the Democratic and Republican Machines disqualifying challenger’s petitions. Judges chosen by the Democratic machine disqualifying challenger’s petitions A State Legislature called dysfunctional but really a candy store for lobbyist and the political machines Our Democracy is not important to: Reformers and Progressives
Who get turn on fighting how the votes are counted on the new voting machines yet say nothing about not having any choice on the ballot

Good Government Groups Who have done nothing to focus the public and the media attention to ballot access Media Who accept the dictatorship of the New York election system without protest or even an article. Elected OfficialsWho live like pigs rolling in mud using their campaign accounts for personal items like cars and phones because they never have opponents VotersWho have stopped voting in local elections and have given up fighting against the corrupt election system

Another one of those Brooklyn political stories that I have to write: AD#56 /2008.
posted by Rock Hackshaw, Sun, 07/13/2008 - 5:52pm
LINK

The 56th Assembly District in Brooklyn covers Bedford Stuyvesant and a few surrounding nooks and crannies. It has been on political lockdown by Al Vann, Annette Robinson and their cronies for over thirty years now. That’s all I will say about that (for now). Usually at this time of the year -when petitions are filed- you would find Richard Taylor’s perennial challenge to the Rip Van Winkle dynasty in the 56thAd. This year it is different: Richard Taylor miraculously didn’t file petitions; it’s the first time in about a quarter century. But an attorney named Cinceria Edwards did file- in order to challenge the status quo; and I wish this story ended right here.

When term-limits were first introduced to the equation in 2001, Al Vann (Mr. Rip Vann Winkle) -the assemblyman at that point- made a calculated switch with his crony Annette Robinson -then the city council member from the 36th district. It was a cynical way of circumventing the spirit of the term limit laws. He went to the council on pre-retirement leave, and she went to Albany to do the same thing. This is typical political representation black-Brooklyn style: unimaginative, non-intellectual, lazy, selfish, sterile and nonsensical. And Ms. Robinson’s son (Taharka) wonders why there are major issues with black and Hispanic youth, street gangs, guns, drugs, violence and such, within this district and the surrounding environs; all he has to do is look at the leadership over the past four decades. But then; can he be objective beyond the good work he himself has been trying to do? I doubt it.

Earlier this year, Ms. Edwards decided to challenge this sterility and impotence; she chose to challenge Mrs. Robinson, by graduating to political candidate. When the petitions started circulating she had many excited people from the district offering to help her. Lots of people in Bed-Stuy are tired of this Vann-Robinson tandem, and wish they would ride off into the sunset. Then just as suddenly as the enthusiasm for her candidacy came, was as sudden the lack: as enthusiasm waned. People refused to return phone calls. People refused to return green-sheets (petitions). People were not as inviting as before; reluctant to give tours of their apartment buildings, and/or introductions to neighbors, block associations or tenant groups. Do you wonder why?

Then churches and ministers that supported Ms. Edwards were being pressured to let Ms. Robinson speak to their congregants. Ms. Edwards refused to put up posters in fear that they would be ripped down. Sometimes her supporters/workers encountered hostility in certain pockets of the district. It all made her more and more determined to run. She filed about 1400 signatures at the Board of Elections last week; only needing 500 to qualify; she expects to be dragged through the mud by Robinson’s (and county’s) legal challenges.

Then there was the outreach from some of Ms. Robinson’s supporters, requesting that Ms. Edwards sit down and talk, or work out some deal whereby she withdraws her candidacy for the Assembly. Note that Ms. Edwards is also challenging Annette Robinson for the district leadership of the Democratic Party. Ms. Robinson has held this position since Adam’s wife (Eve) was a virgin. All these were harbingers of things to come – I will get to that in a minute.

Then one day Ms. Robinson confronted one of Ms. Edwards’ clients -who was helping with the signature-gathering process. The client suffered through being berated by Robinson -as though she (the client) didn’t have the right to help a candidate of her choice: a lawyer who had helped her avoid foreclosure on her home. It was an embarrassing public display coming from an elected official. Forget the implications of constitutional violations.

Then I was told by a media person that Annette was griping about being challenged -as though she is entitled to the seat. What chutzpah! Look, a few years ago, Channel 7 (ABC) did a news story about Annette Robinson’s hubris. You see, she had taken it upon herself to block off two parking spots in front of her house. Now, I am talking about public parking spaces, and anyone who lives in Brooklyn knows about the paucity of parking spaces and incessant tickets from Department of Transportation (DOT) ticketers/ traffic agents (you see why Senator Kevin Parker physically confronted one/lol). Ms. Robinson took two long police barriers and placed them in the spaces whenever she went out, so that no one from the block could park there (ever). When ever she or her husband returned, they would move the barriers and park their two cars. All this took place much to the chagrin of many on the block on which she lives.

This sense of entitlement from black-electeds (well; truth be told: they all do it -black, white, brown, whatever), has become a source of irritation for many a serious political activist. Recently I have been hearing the grumblings about Charles Barron running his wife for public office (40th AD). I thought at first that it wasn’t a bad idea, but I now realize that many felt Barron would be different. That’s unfortunate, because Inez Barron would probably make a better rep than her husband; and compared to many other electeds: Charles Barron isn’t totally bad; all factors considered. And yet even the disappointing Barron has this sense of entitlement. It is as though he alone knows best, who should run for/ or represent the East New York area in the council/ or up in Albany. That’s why he is running his former chief of staff (Paul Washington) to replace him in the council next year. The same chief of staff whose commitment he ripped over and over and over again. Do these black electeds ever introspect? Do they remember what they say and do?

Before I tell you about the shameful thing that happened last week let me give you a lil info about Ms. Edwards. She is the mother of two wonderful daughters. The eldest is 23, and is a college grad (History); she co-ordinates the campaign for her mother. The younger daughter is 14 years old, and is one of the top chess players at her age in the world. She was on a USCF (United States Chess Federation) sponsored trip to Argentina, competing for her country recently, and came home to find that vandals had thrown rocks into her mother’s house, shattering windows in an attempt at political intimidation. One of these rocks smashed the younger daughter’s bedroom window and landed on her bed; now she is afraid to sleep in her bedroom.

Ms. Edwards has lived in Bed-Stuy for a very long time. She has owned this house and lived here for the past ten years. She has never had a single problem before this run for public office. She feels that it is the work of one of Ms. Robinson’s over-zealous supporters. She has made reports to the police since window-shattering stone-throwing episodes have occurred twice so far. She refuses to be intimidated into withdrawing from the race.

Ms. Edwards believes that there are simple people and nefarious forces totally in to system-maintenance. She feels that the status-quo is at work in order to frustrate her effort. She is a solid supporter of Barack Obama (Robinson supported Hillary Clinton) and believes that change must come to Bed-Stuy. She doesn’t believe that Ms. Robinson or her son (Taharka) is responsible for the attacks on her property. She feels that they have been in the business of politics for too long to do something like this; knowing fully well that if these acts were to be traced back to them, then it would be fatal to all their political goals, aspirations and legacies, beyond the illegalities. However, she wants a full investigation, and hopes that the Brooklyn District Attorney (Charles Hynes) will look into this.

Word on the street is that Mrs. Robinson wants to return to the NYC council next year -when Vann is term limited- and as such, turn the term limits legislation in to nothing short of a hop-scotch game. She will have to get pass this challenge first though, because Ms. Edwards is intent on winning this race. I must say in all earnestness that Ms. Edwards is (at best) a long shot to win this race and unseat Mrs. Robinson.

Look, in all fairness to Mrs. Robinson and Al Vann, they have done their share of community activism; and it might be fitting for us to name a street, building or school after them at some point. I think Mrs. Robinson once served on the school board and I am sure she has made her own solid contributions in years past; but that was then.

Stay tuned-in folks.

Rocks and Shit in Brooklyn Assembly Race
Posted by Duncan Meisel at 6:02 PM, August 6, 2008
LINK

A lawyer and adviser for Cenceria Edwards claims that the candidate in the Democratic Primary for the 36th State Assembly District in Bed Stuy has been subjected to a campaign of intimidation, including two acts of vandalism at her home. In posts at the Daily Gotham, and Room 8, Edwards representative Rock Hackshaw claims that someone threw two rocks through the candidate's windows, and later left a bag of human feces at her door.

Somebody isn't happy with Edwards. The attorney and CPA recently entered the primary against incumbent Annette Robinson, after Robinson had challenged the validity of Edwards’ petition signatures, which are mandatory to run for office in the primary. After the challenges, Edwards still met the 500 signature requirement to get on the ballot. Meanwhile, Hackshaw also claims that everyone signing for Edwards received threatening personal visits from individuals allegedly connected to Robinson.

In her first election, Robinson won 96% percent of the vote in a heavily Democratic district. Previously a City Council Member, Robinson first ran for Senate after being reaching her term limit, at which point she ran for the 36th District seat vacated by Al Vann, who simultaneously ran for Robinson’s City Council seat. (More background at The Gotham Gazette.)

The Voice put in a call to Robinson's office; no one was available for comment.

New York State Board of Elections