Democrat Lebarty drops primary challenge to Titus
Posted on July 20, 2010 by Ivan Pereira in Assembly, District 31
Okenfe Lebarty
A west African immigrant who was planning a run for Assembly dropped his bid early Tuesday morning.
Okenfe Lebarty sent a mass e-mail message to his supporters around 12:40 a.m. alerting them that he could not go forward with his run against state Assemblywoman Michelle Titus (D-Far Rockaway) in this fall’s Democratic primary. Lebarty, who works as the executive director for the University Student Senate for CUNY, according to his website, said money was the primary reason for his campaign’s suspension.
The e-mail read:
Dear friends,
After careful considerations, my campaign team and I have decided to suspend our campaign and not go
forward with the race for NYS Assembly District 31.Due to lack of resources, we cannot maintain a vigorous and robust campaign, hence our path to victory
will not be attainable.Although this campaign is ending, our fight for a more sustainable District 31 still continues.
My sincere gratitude to all those who helped and supported this campaign. Without you this would not have been
possible. Our work is not yet over. I hope all of you will continue to advocate a progressive agenda
in your communities. In the words of our fathers, ‘Hope does not kill, we shall live
and get what we want one day”Thank you
Okenfe Lebarty
State campaign finance records showed that Lebarty collected $3,385 for his campaign and spent $4,213 on his race so far. Titus has $4,130 in contributions and spent $3,188 on her reelection bid so far, according to the records.
No other Democrats filed to get on the primary ballot against Titus this year.
