Viewing page 6 of 258

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

SUTTON UPDATE

New York City Voters:
Ready to become Equal Opportunity Employers?

By Alfred Duckett

It has been five years since publication of my book "Changing of the Guard, The New Black Political Breed" in which the chapter on Percy Sutton: "Don't Let The Anger Show" (see preceding pages). I decided to update information on the Borough President of Manhattan because there have been significant changes in his life since then. The most important currently is that, after eleven years of running the most famed of New York City's five boroughs, Sutton has decided to take the giant step. He has become (as we go to press) the first major black contender for the Mayoralty in New York City.

Sutton will face stiff opposition. His long-time friend, incumbent Abraham Beame, in spite of an Administration which has been filled with disaster, will most likely seek re-election. However, Beame, who is heavily counting on being able to persuade the Carter Administration to help him pull New York out of financial chaos, is not favored as heavily in polls as is another possible candidate, former Congresswoman Bella Abzug who lost her seat in the House of Representatives to flamboyant Congressman-elect Daniel Moynihan. Another entry on the Democratic side, it appears, could be Herman Badillio, the Puerto Rican Congressman who has twice tried and failed in the Big Apple's mayoralty competition. There are other possible contestants on the Democratic side in this overwhelmingly Democratic metropolis, and, whoever triumphs in the September primary will probably be running against the Republican candidate also of the minority Republican party.

Is New York City ready to become an Equal Opportunity Employer?

Are the voters - black and white - willing to turn over the reins of this troubled town to a Black, a Puerto Rican or a woman?

As this article is written, Mrs. Abzug, popular advocate of womens rights and a vocal liberal spokeswoman, had not yet made up her mind to enter the race. Speculation was high that she had been offered and might accept a high post in the Carter Administration. However, following a meeting with the President recently, Mrs. Abzug announced that she decided to keep her options open and might become a Mayoral candidate. As for Badillio, his future in the Mayoralty campaign is uncertain, one of primary reasons being that there is (at this writing) ill will between him and

[[image - black and white photograph of Percy Sutton with two other men]]
[[caption]] Dapper Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton checks out sports activities on a Harlem street. He lives in Harlem, says he'll continue to live there if elected Mayor of New York. [[/caption]]

4