Michel Faulkner, at left, campaigning in East Harlem. Photo by Kim Chakanetsa/Northattan
“Retire Rangel! Retire Rangel!” The bullhorns on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 125th Street were at full tilt Friday morning as the Rev. Michel Faulkner and his supporters launched a final campaign push ahead of the Nov. 2 elections.
Armed with pamphlets and placards, Faulkner, a Republican, implored residents to unseat the incumbent, Charles Rangel, in the district’s race for the House of Representatives. This is a big ask. Rangel is popular and Harlem is loyal, and very Democratic.
Despite the polls and predictions, Faulkner’s faithful remained hopeful —even confident. “If we came out, we the people of the 15th District, then yes he can,” said Pastor Jack Royster, who had temporarily ceased manning the bullhorn.
Among Faulkner’s volunteers was Esther Williams, a tall, witty woman. “Somebody was telling me there was an honest man in the neighborhood,” she said. “I researched this man like a husband. If I’m going to be doing anything for anybody I have to research him. To make sure there is no baggage, no crazies.”
For Chaplain Viviana Hernandez, another volunteer, it was Faulkner’s consistent record of service across the city that won her over. Having known Faulkner for 10 years, she said, “I can look at people and see if they are genuine. He is the genuine article. He has convictions, a man of integrity.” Those qualities, integrity and honesty, were mentioned time and again by his supporters. “He can’t be bought and sold, “ said Williams, a less-than-subtle dig at the ethics violation charges that Rangel is facing.
Chaplain Hernandez holding campaign leaflets for Michel Faulkner. Photo by Kim Chakanetsa/Northattan
Hernandez was confident that the overwhelmingly Democratic district would back Faulkner. “This election people are going to look at the person, not the party, and we can no longer be beholden to a party,” she said. For those unwilling to shift party allegiances, come Tuesday, Faulkner will be on the ballot twice – as a Republican and as the Jobs Now candidate.
Job creation, or “jobenomics” as his campaign refers to it, has been central to Faulkner’s campaign platform in the area, which has been hit hard by the recession. The job rhetoric drew in residents like Greg Valentine, who has been hunting for a job for over a year. Valentine’s job search was further compounded by his criminal record: “I served 4 and a half years. I used to smoke crack and I sold it to an undercover policeman,” he said. “Now every time I go they look at my history. I’ve cleaned my life up.”
The jobs message was drummed again when a couple dressed in matching denim stopped to ask Faulkner about what they would do about people living in the streets. Faulkner said: “Jobs, we need jobs to help people take care of themselves.” The couple, perhaps unsure what to make of the response, conferred quietly.
Earlier that day, Tyletha Samuels, Faulkner’s campaign organizer, had described the candidate as “a pastor posing as a politician.” Outside of Harlem’s Pathmark supermarket, Faulkner’s impersonation of a politician had been uncanny: smiles and short conversations punctuated by handshakes and high waves. He greeted commuters streaming out of the 125th Street subway stop. Some shook his hand out of curiosity, some out of politeness. Others were less receptive. A man, reaching to accept a leaflet, asked, “Democrat?” before recoiling. “Come on, seriously, they don’t care about the working class, ” he said before rushing off in the opposite direction. A woman crossing the street stopped and shouted “Democrats!” to no one in particular.
One woman who had been circling the volunteers for the best part of an hour approached with a message for the candidate. “We as taxpayers are tired of paying for everything and getting nothing. It hurts. I am a person who grew up with Martin and Malcolm. Then we had the government come in and say yes we can, well no, we can’t. This man has good intentions but I think once he gets in and sees the layers of bigotry, lies and racism, he will see that he is alone.”
So would she be voting for Faulkner?
“No, I am voting for me. I am a write-in candidate.”
