Richard David, Shea Uzoigwe formally launch bids for open Assembly seat

Former Senate staffer Chiedu “Shea” Uzoigwe (left) and Democratic District Leader Richard David and fofficially kicked off their campaigns for Assembly District 31. Photos courtesy of the candidates

By David Brand

Democratic District Leader Richard David on Monday formally announced a move most political observers had long expected — he’s running for the Assembly District 31 seat vacated by Michele Titus, who took the Civil Court bench last month.

David, a professor of Caribbean studies at CUNY York, has raised the most money of the seven candidates for the open assembly seat. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to call a special election for April 28, the same day New Yorkers head to the polls to cast their ballot in the Democratic primary for U.S. president.

Chiedu “Shea” Uzoigwe also kicked off his campaign for the assembly seat in the past week. Uzoigwe is a first-generation American born to immigrants from Nigeria. He has worked for State Sen. James Sanders and participated in several local campaigns, including Melinda Katz’s bid for district attorney. He has raised the second highest amount of money among the candidates.

The other candidates include Khaleel Anderson, a Community Board 14 member; Tavia Blakley, a former staffer in Titus’ office; Lisa George, a current staffer in Sanders’ Rockaway office; Derrick DeFlorimonte, a Community Board 13 member; and Varinder Singh, a real estate consultant and construction manager.

The winner of the likely special election will try to have defend the seat in the June 23 primary election.