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By Mark Lungariello - The Town Report
The kickoff for James R. Coleman’s campaign for New York State Assembly kicked off on June 28. Coleman (R) will oppose incumbent Amy Paulin (D) for her seat in the 88th district that includes Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, as well as parts of New Rochelle, Pelham, Scarsdale and White Plains.
White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino as well as other prominent local Republicans supported Coleman at his campaign kickoff in front of GOP headquarters in White Plains. Coleman immediately addressed the possibility of a heated campaign with Paulin. “She (Paulin) may divert our attention to Iraq or Afghanistan,” he said, noting that he will be looking to keep his mind set on an “effective, respectful, positive campaign.”
Coleman said his mention of Iraq and Afghanistan comes down to one concern he has on the campaign, that it may become partisan-driven. “I think she is going to criticize the president,” he said. “I think she is going to criticize the Republican Party. Then say ‘Jim Coleman is a Republican.’”
In response, Paulin said, “I am very flattered as my opponent must have me confused with Nita Lowey. The war is a federal issue. The debate for our campaign is about quality education, affordable healthcare, keeping our streets safe and protecting the environment. I welcome Mr. Coleman to that debate and running on my six year record of accomplishment.”
Coleman has been a business executive for 25 years and has worked for four Fortune 500 companies. Currently, he works as a senior executive at a Manhattan-based security firm. He said, if elected, he would be taking his business experience into the Assembly. “State government needs to live within its own budget,” Coleman said. “You can’t spend more than you have.”
Coleman said he would be looking to improve property taxes in Albany, and also work on improving health care, educational funding in the state, and focus on improving the Bronx River Parkway. “The bottom line is if you give me a chance, I’ll give you a choice,” he said.
Paulin is currently serving her third term in the Assembly. Coleman alluded to the fact that he thinks that it is time for a change in Albany. Coleman would be the first African-American in the Assembly. When asked what the benefits of an African-American in the body would be, Coleman said that was not a selling point of his bid. “I don’t think we need (an African-American_) for the sake of having one,” he said. “I’m not running because I’m African-American, I’m running because I’m qualified.”
Coleman, like his opponent Paulin, lives in Scarsdale. Coleman has lived in Scarsdale since 1999. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky on Coleman Crest Farm, which was purchased by Coleman’s great-great grandfather after the end of slavery. Coleman and his wife currently run the farm. He graduated Howard University in Washington, DC in 1983. From there, he has traveled the country with different businesses, spending time as a resident of Katonah.
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