Sitting City Councilmember Mathieu Eugene could be facing two challengers in the September Democratic primary.
By midnight, June 16th, the city’s Board of Elections deadline, Eugene and local activists Rock Hackshaw and Leithland Rickie Tulloch had filed nominating petitions in the 40th Councilmanic District.
Eugene filed 11 volumes of petitions, with over 6,000 signatures, he said. Tulloch filed nine volumes, containing an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 signatures, and Hackshaw filed seven volume of petitions, containing nearly 3,000 signatures, he said. A total of 900 valid signatures is necessary to get on the ballot. Generally, to be safe from challenges, candidates try to amass approximately three times the amount that is considered necessary.
Both Tulloch and Hackshaw have run for office before. Tulloch actually ran for the seat in the 40th C.D. during a special election held after Yvette Clarke resigned the position to go to Washington as the representative of the 11th Congressional District.
In that race, there were 10 candidates, with Eugene −− who had Clarke’s backing −− eventually winning. However, questions about whether he was a resident of the district at the time of the election resulted in a second special election, which he also resoundingly won.
Tulloch told this paper that he was “extremely confident,” this time around. He noted that he had filed his petitions early. “I knew no one could touch us, because we didn’t do subway stuff,” Tulloch said. “We went door−to−door on all of ours.”
Hackshaw also expressed optimism, telling this paper that working hard could make the difference. “I’m plugging away,” he reported, “and I believe I’m going to win it. I wouldn’t trade places with anyone.”
While Hackshaw contended that Eugene, while the incumbent, “has a lot of problems,” Eugene told this paper that he too was “very confident. I know with the grace of God and the support of the community, I’m going to do it again.”
However, he added, “I don’t take anything for granted. I’m working hard.
“I’ve been working hard serving the community,” Eugene went on, “and the community has demonstrated that we have earned their trust. Serving is my passion. It’s in my blood. This is not about politics; it’s about my devotion.”
General challenges are due at the Board of Elections by July 20th, with specific objections due by July 27th. Hearings on the objections will commence on August 3rd.
