A Family Affair

Anthony Andrews was disappointed with his loss to Allan Jennings in last years City Council race, but his strong showing was good enough to convince him to run for Democratic District Leader in the 32nd Assembly District, zone A, in the upcoming 2002 election.
But Andrews campaign hit a snag along the way when over half of his over 800 signatures were invalidated, leaving him short of the 500 signatures necessary to get on the ballot.
"I was disappointed," said Andrews, "but it doesnt mean Im not still involved."
Andrews has turned his attention to the democratic state committee race in his district, where incumbents Patrick Jenkins and Jill Wright will run against challengers Robert Hogan and Beatrice Mills-Henry. Hes thrown his support behind the challengers because he feels that the party, led by Assemblywoman Vivian Cook (D-32 A.D.), has an unchallenged status quo in the area and has lost touch with the community.
"The leadership is not visible nor vocal on behalf of our residents," said Andrews. "Maybe this will spur them, and if not, they may very well face additional challenges next time."
Mills-Henry and Hogan reiterate this theme, and with good reason: Mills-Henry is Andrews mother.
"Once we build a relationship, we dont want to fake anything," Hogan said. "Were representing people who are very sleepy and very tired."
Mills-Henry was angry about the partys constant elimination of candidates from ballots, including her sons, and pointed to the perceived systematic elimination of challengers in order to uphold the status quo.
"Ive supported them over the years, but its gotten to the point when theyve eliminated all the candidates. Its good to whittle down, but its not good to eliminate everybody," said Mills-Henry.
Andrews, who also has a long positive history with Cook and many others in the community, said he was aware that he was taking a bold step in countering party leadership in this election.
"Im putting my name and reputation on the line in supporting them," he said of his mothers slate, "because it hurts when constituents come up to me and ask, Why did you ask me to support this person? I see nothing that I can point to that this person has done for the community. I hope this election has been a wake-up call for them, and they know that many of the residents of the community are not happy with the leadership."
Andrews is confident in his mothers slate, but said he would be willing to work for change within the leadership if Wright and Jenkins win the election on September 10.
"If the current leadership is reelected in the September primary, I guess that means there are constituents who are somewhat satisfied with their service and reputation," said Andrews. "If that is the case, I, along with many of the civic groups I have supported for public and party offices, may be willing to sit down with them and discuss how we can move this community forward."
For now, Mills-Henry is going door-to-door publicizing her and Hogans candidacy, and reading to children in parks and, she says, basically just getting out in the neighborhood something, she says, is unique in this particular race.
"Were voting about something to affect the community, and Jill Wright is not doing anything relating to the community. Its time for her to step aside."