CAMPAIGN 2006 – Harrison running for Meng's Assembly seat

The latest entry to the race for Jimmy Meng's 22nd Assembly District seat is a long-time Queens politician, 86-year-old former City Council and Assembly Representative Julia Harrison.
Harrison was the fourth person to declare their candidacy for this seat including district leaders Ellen Young and Terence Park and Grace Meng, the daughter of Jimmy Meng who decided not to run for reelection for health reasons.
Harrison's unexpected announcement came in early June after the Democratic Club of Flushing nominated her to run for the seat by Ethel Chen, who many considered a candidate for this position.
&#8220I accepted the overwhelming support and endorsement, and I answered the request of the club,” Harrison said. &#8220When she [Chang] took into account there would be three Chinese women and one Korean man, the answer to her was simply not acceptable.”
Harrison became the first female in the Assembly in 1983 and later represented Flushing in the City Council for 12 years until 2001, but was drawn back into politics for this year's Assembly race.
&#8220I have a lot of experience and I had a lot of chance to learn, which puts me on a better level to serve the community,” Harrison said. &#8220I'd like to help train another generation of potential leaders in the district.”
Harrison said she did not believe there was a single issue that will be the focus of her campaign; however, she believes that her most important job will be to unify the different communities present in Flushing.
&#8220In order for the district to go forward, it requires people who are Caucasian and Asian to work together,” Harrison said. &#8220I don't see that happening now.”
In addition, she is confident that she will be able to accomplish this, because of her vast political experience.
&#8220I really believe that we can work together because I don't make any prejudgments,” Harrison said. &#8220When people get to know each other, I think they have a lot in common.”