2010 Assembly District 42 – Democratic Primary

Michele Adolphe, running for office for her second time, is a former teacher and executive director of a performing arts center for youth.  Adolphe previously worked as a community organizer and founded the Brooklyn Institute for Children, which has become a major early childhood facility in the borough. Adolphe believes her understanding of the underserved community in the district will enable her to provide more effective representation in Albany.  Adolphe’s major priorities are providing more support for seniors, education, and greater accountability of government.  Adolphe stated that the first bill she would introduce in the legislature would allow students to graduate high school with diplomas other than Regents diplomas so that more students would have the opportunity to go to college.  Adolphe supports an independent redistricting commission, a public campaign finance system with matching public funds similar to the one currently in use in New York City, and terms limits for the state legislature.  Adolphe feels she has the coalition-building skills needed to effectively move proposals if elected, having been part of Jumaane Williams’ campaign for City Council and having had experience organizing seniors.  Citizens Union was impressed by Adolphe’s knowledge of her community, her suggestions on how to improve certain segments of it leading CU to believe that she would be effective in providing constituent services.  CU is, however, concerned about her lack of financial and organizational strength as a candidate given her strong roots in the community because she did not file required campaign financial disclosure forms with the NYS Board of Elections, even though there was evidence that her campaign had spent money.