Mount Vernon — Dozens of friends, family, clergy members came out to support Derickson K. Lawrence as he formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, 16th Congressional District, on Saturday morning, at the historic St. Paul’s Church located at 897 South Columbus Avenue in Mount Vernon.
“The nation is looking for alternatives to career politicians and establishment politics, and our 16th Congressional District is no exception,” states Lawrence.
Supporters braved the cold weather waiting for the congressional candidate, who was delayed due to a car accident on his way. Even another vehicle running in the back on Lawrence’s car could not deny Derickson K. from his date with destiny, as he officially threw his hat in the race. Neither did the cold weather, nor the unscheduled delay deter his supporters from coming out on a windy Saturday morning to stand with him.
Despite the fact he hasn’t previously held an elected office before and is not part of the establishment, Lawrence notes that he ‘has been involved in delivering services with tangible results for the past two decades in areas of crime and gun violence, tax reform, changing the process of learning, and economic empowerment.’
Lawrence has 30 years of management consultant experience with companies such as KPMG and the Gartner Group. He is currently engaged in two small business ventures with national footprints and one global venture.
“With bold leadership, new ideas, and tangible results, guided by the voice of the people, we can lift the economy of the region, stand up for criminal justice reforms, slow the growth of college tuition and student debt, and restore an effective voice in the halls of Congress,” said Lawrence.
Derickson K. Lawrence is hoping to unseat, 69-year-old Congressman Eliot Engel (D- NY), who has served as a representative for the 17th, 19th and 16th District respectfully, since 1989.
The 16th Congressional District spans across parts of the Bronx and Westchester County including the North Riverdale, South Riverdale, Fieldston, Spuyten Duyvil, Woodland, Wakefield, Williambridge, Edenwald, Baychester, Co-op City and Eastchester sections of the Bronx and several municipalities of Westchester including Mount Vernon, Yonkers, Scarsdale, new Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Rye, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Greenburgh, Ardsley (Greenburgh), Hasting-on-Hudson (Greenburgh) and Edgemont (Greenburgh).
The Federal Primary for statewide offices and congress in New York State will be held, Tuesday, June 28, 2016. Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m.
