Special Race in New York's 6th To Feature Dueling Democrats

By CQ Staff

State Rep. Gregory W. Meeks has the crucial Democratic Party endorsement for the Feb. 3 special election to replace former six-term Democratic Rep. Floyd H. Flake in New York's 6th District.

But in his bid to succeed Flake, who resigned on Nov. 15 to concentrate on his church ministry, Meeks will have to fend off four opponents -- including two other Democratic state lawmakers.

State Sen. Alton R. Waldon Jr., who briefly held the southeast Queens seat in 1986, announced on Jan. 12 that he is the nominee of New York's Conservative Party and Independence Party (New York's version of the Reform Party).

Meeks edged Waldon for the Democratic nomination at a Jan. 9 caucus of 6th District party leaders. Although Meeks was backed by prominent African-Americans such as Flake and activist Al Sharpton, Waldon alleged his nomination was a case of "plantation politics" -- with white Queens party heads pressuring local leaders to support Meeks.

State Rep. Barbara M. Clark, another Democrat, filed by the Jan. 14 deadline for independent candidates. She will appear on the ballot line for the 21st Century Party.

Running as the Republican nominee in the black-majority, heavily Democratic district is Celestine V. Miller, a district school superintendent. The candidate of the anti-abortion Right to Life Party is homemaker Mary Cronin.

Saturday Jan. 17, 1998

• A Bundle From Virginia
• House GOP Casts a Wide Net In Renewed Scandal Hunt
• Rainy Days Get No Respect As Savings Rate Droops
• Rep. Riggs To Run For Senate
• Special Race in New York's 6th To Feature Dueling Democrats
• Another Costly Run May Prove Too High a Price for Feinstein
• Criticism of 'Corporate Welfare' Heats Up in Congress
• Departure of Bureau's Director Deepens Census Controversy
• California House Race Shapes Up As a Duel of Interest Groups
• Political Advocacy Case Reaches High Court