5th Ward race gets interesting


I wrote this morning about the 5th Ward Common Council seat race in the City of Albany, and how a primary loser is starting a write-in campaign.

Sam Coleman lost by 15 votes to Mark Robinson in the Democratic primary last month. Coleman kicked off his campaign Wednesday morning. But it isn’t just one man against the world. Coleman has the support of council members Dominick Casolaro and Barabara Smith (neither are seeking re-election)  and 11th Ward candidate Judd Krasher.

It’s undoubtedly not the first time party members have decided not to back the candidate who won the primary, but it’s also undoubtedly rare. Casolaro, Smith and Krasher all said they believe Coleman is the best man for the job because they’ve seen his community outreach work in some of the city’s poorer areas. The 5th Ward encompasses West Hill.

Casolaro and Krasher both told me the move to back Coleman isn’t about politics within the party. Rather, they believe Coleman is just the right man to serve the ward.

Robinson also is involved in community activism and was the subject of a Times Union profile earlier this summer. When I asked him yesterday about his thoughts on Dems deciding to back someone he beat in the primary, Robinson instead started talking about his activism. He referenced visits with seniors, free coffee at 5 a.m. in Arbor Hill and his desire to continue working to better the community. For more on his work, see the profile.

What shouldn’t be overlooked is both men’s pasts, which they are both open to acknowledging. Coleman spent time in a state shock incarceration facility for a drug charge, and Robinson spent time in federal prison for his role in a marijuana enterprise headquartered on North Swan Street.

Both men have shown they want to prove they aren’t the men they once were and, by all accounts, have turned their lives around. Now both are trying to turn their ward around in a similar fashion.

Categories: General
Matthew Hamilton

5 Responses

  1. 5th Ward Lifer says:

    Question for Robinson is the Rehab Center RSS wants to put in on Second St, why are you against it? Are these not the same people you sold drugs to in the 80′s -90′s that this Center would assist. Also where was your sense of community during this time period, when the drugs you where peddling assisted in the destruction of the community? Last, not really a question but a request. This morning, 10/17 found your political literature on the windshields of my vehicles. Refrain yourself from doing this as this is my personal property an I did not give you permission to vandalize it. In the article it was noted that this area did not have a voice in years. Jackie Jenkins-Cox has been a voice for this area serving in the Common Council. Thank you Jackie for your service.

  2. Yukyuk says:

    Reading this an the article in the paper the 5th Ward did an still does have a voice. Councilwoman Jackie Jenkins-Cox has been that voice. She has answered and helped those who have called out to her. So thank you Jackie for the past 4 years. Next Mark talks about helping the community. Why then is he so against the drug rehab going in on Second St. Are these not the same people who he sold drugs to before he got righteous. Why spread false statements of what’s going in there. 24 max residents, it’s not for sex offenders. Coffee at 5 am, who’s up at 5 am to enjoy this in the west Hill? After what occurred in the primary I could never cast my vote for him. Now Sam, being on Committes an organizations is fine, but tangible actions that the people can see are also needed. So the choice, I guess I better bring a pen.

  3. The ppl wanna know says:

    How bout we put a rehab on western ave we don’t need that. Where we stay

  4. hawkny says:

    How about we put a rehab on Central Avenue, out beyond Sears, where those grubby hotels are located? You know the ones I mean.

  5. Yukyuk says:

    The site was chosen by the NYS. The money is tied to that building/address. It cannot be used for anything else. PPL, next time to speak to Mark Robinson, ask when campaign financials are going to be filed. Should have been done by now. It’s the law, so much for the changing into a positive.