The following persons are running for the Democratic nomination (tantamount to election to the office in this 80% Democratic district) for the 69th State Assembly district, in which Morningside Heights is located. Thanks to the Gotham Gazette and the West Side Spirit for descriptions. The Democratic primary is set for Tuesday, September 10, 2002. Results below:

Front-runner Danny O'Donnell, a public interest lawyer, is a founding member of the New York City chapter of Citizens Action. He was a public defender in Brooklyn and has served on Community Board 9. He is openly gay. O'Donnell, who attended George Washington University and CUNY Law School, is also a member of the Morningside Heights Historic District Committee. Campaign website. Incumbent's Endorsement. My endorsement. 33.59% of the vote.

Steve Strauss, who is the vice president of the Broadway Malls Association. Strauss is a graduate of Dartmouth College, and attended Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. Strauss has worked for the New York City Office of Management and Budget. He has also worked for the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Strauss is a member of the Three Parks Independent Democratic Club, the Empire State Pride Agenda and the Human Rights Campaign. 5.86% of the vote.

Ari Goodman, a lawyer, is a member of the Manhattan Borough President's Task Force, the Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century and is a board member of the Residents Coalition. Campaign website.11.54% of the vote.

Cynthia Doty, a former Sullivan staffer, is endorsed by the Three Parks Democratic Club, where she previously served as a district leader and club president. A former theatrical costume designer, Doty, 50, has spent most of the last decade as a special assistant to incumbent Sullivan, working closely with constituents on housing and other issues. Campaign website. 17.34% of the vote.

Larry Hirsch, a housing specialist, is a former district leader for Community Free Democrats and spent 20 years working for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The lifelong West Sider gained valuable knowledge of the district working as West Side coordinator for former City Councilman Adam Clayton Powell IV. Hirsch, 41, is also involved with the Mitchell-Lama Tenants Coalition and the activist group Concerned Citizens for Community Action. DROPPED OUT.

Joyce Johnson. A former district leader for CFD, and member of Community Planning Board 7, Johnson will base her appeal to voters on her education background and corporate experience. Johnson is a native of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. In the mid-90's, Johnson worked as an executive assistant to former School's Chancellor Rudy Crew, in charge of the Office of Business and Community Relations. Currently, she runs her own educational consulting firm. With 17 years experience in business, Johnson is a strong advocate of public/private partnerships in education and other issues. Campaign Website. Bio / Pic. 16.18% of the vote.

Steve Russo. An environmental attorney in private practice and democratic party activist, Russo, 38, is affiliated with CFD. The Long Island native will tout his experience working to pass environmental legislation in Albany. Russo's commitment to environmental issues has also taken on a local focus, having served as pro bono counsel to the community garden preservation group Green Guerillas. DROPPED OUT, ENDORSING DANIEL O'DONNELL.

Marc Landis, an attorney, community activist and district leader for the powerful Community Free Democrats political club. DROPPED OUT, ENDORSING DANIEL O'DONNELL.

Michael Brown, who works as an examination proctor for tests given to police officers and transit employees, is another candidate. He ran unsuccessfully for a City Council seat last year. 3.26% of the vote.

Francisco Spies, 20, who said he was working to complete high school by the end of this year. 1.80% of the vote.

Luis Nunez. 10.42% of the vote.

Gerard Powell. DROPPED OUT.

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