NY State Senate Election 2020: Melinda Crump Challenges For Seat

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Voters living in Manhattan's 31st state senate district — which stretches from Hudson Yards to Marble Hill — will head to polls on Nov. 3 to cast their ballot in this year's election races.

On the ballot will be be challenger Melinda Crump, a Republican who is running for the west side of Manhattan state senate seat. She will go up against incumbent Sen. Robert Jackson, a Democrat who has held the seat since 2019.

Crump, who lives on the Upper West Side, works as a media relations consultant and has never held political office.

The 31st District spans much of Manhattan's west side, including parts of the Garment District, Hell's Kitchen, the Upper West Side, Washington Heights, Inwood, Harlem and a slice of Marble Hill in the Bronx.

All New York voters may request a mail-in ballot due to the coronavirus pandemic.

For those who want to head to the polls, click here to find your poll site. Early voting is available from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the primary election to create these profiles.

Melinda Crump

NYC neighborhood of residence

Upper West Side

Position Sought

State Senate

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

none

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

none

Education

BS Marine Science

Occupation

Media relations consultant

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

none

Why are you seeking elective office?

New York has been hit hard by the virus as lives have been lost, businesses have been closed, and people are leaving the city for greener pastures. This is the greatest city, and it’s a great time to implement policy and plans so that businesses, industries, families, and individuals will be able to thrive in the future. We can create a new normal that is strong, prosperous, and resilient.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Racial tensions and other divisive factors are pressing issues right now. Economies are recovering from halted business activity. Nationally we need to be thankful for our history as a constitutional republic and seek racial reconciliation over anarchy. Locally, half of NYC's restaurants are facing permanent closure as a result of punitive policies - these and other businesses are essential to our communities and represent the heart of our city. We need to recognize how hard it is to own a business and support these establishments vs running shutdowns while turning a blind eye to the increase in violence all over the city. Every business is essential, and I plan to create a climate where these businesses can thrive in a post-pandemic environment.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

Obviously in the middle of a rising pandemic with increasing numbers, limiting contact with others in community is a safety measure that may restrict those with infectious cases from spreading the virus in public settings. Initially closing the US off from international travel prevented untold spread of the virus. I believe decisions about limiting non-essential businesses should be made on a local level among those "close to the action" vs an arbitrary mandate. In NYC, shut-downs have significantly hurt businesses, and need to be enforced only as a last resort. As for Masks, I rarely see anyone without a mask and feel that the social response to common sense measures has been sufficient. If people are taking precautions on their own, I would not favor a nationwide mandate for a mask since people are already wearing masks. It's fine though to educate and motivate common sense precautions from the top down. Let the people make those decisions on their own as they have been doing a good job with it. We cannot afford to make room for unconstitutional advances on personal liberties.

How would you address the concerns of the Black Lives Matter movement, and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

The death of George Floyd is a great tragedy and symbol of evil. His life matters. His death though is a reminder to us all that “ all men are created equal, and are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights”. Hence, the anarchist nature of the riots undermine the very values that bring equality. I believe that black lives matter and we need to be more sensitive to the history of Black Americans and overcome prejudice and racism in any form. Although, I am not on board with anti-American and Marxist agendas in some of the BLM organization and movement. Without the constitutional privileges provided in the USA, we would all be subject to rampant inequality. Our constitutional republic uniquely provides for human rights unlike other nations- and we need to live up to that. We have a relational problem that needs healing and reconciliation. Violence and anarchy only serve to obfuscate the real problem.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I believe we need to support police officers who lay down their lives to maintain law and order. Reasonable reforms vs defunding the police and tacit consent to violent protestors and rioters.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Our senator voted for bail reform – our city has been in damage control ever since as we have witnessed a spike in crime shortly after the law went into effect. Our streets are no longer safe. As a result, the city has been labeled as a “cautionary tale” when it comes to pushing the boundaries for bail reform. On a practical level, by voting for the reform, the senator has ignored the consequences of letting offenders go free to roam about with little to deter them from bringing harm to our communities. To make matters worse, as we seek tp recover from the aftermath of COVID, the law hinders the success of the MTA as people no longer find it safe to use the transit system. Transportation is integral to the city, and ridership is currently down. Free-range offenders who are not detained complicate the problem by threatening riders and discouraging people from taking the train.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Provide small businesses with needed support for maintaining staff and the ability to invest in COVID related renovations for keeping customers safe and their doors open. Businesses need to thrive again.
Create more educational opportunity in underprivileged neighborhoods, promote greater school choice.
Support law enforcement with responsible reform that does not include defunding the police.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I was previously a founding team member at a successful fintech company after starting from scratch. I know what business owners face in growing a business through unchartered territory with obstacles and challenges.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

A quote from Winston Churchill - Never Give Up

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have been watching the dialogue on the UWS concerning the homeless encampments and hotels such as BelleClaire and Lucerne where these facilities are being used to house large numbers of those in tough circumstances. We need to measure out compassion coupled with a stance against the practice of not monitoring activities so that safety issues do not go unchecked. Reportedly, neighbors are being harassed and drugs are regularly consumed in front of children. We need to find the middle ground and use resources more effectively to ensure that those in need are benefited and are not harming the surrounding community with unacceptable behaviors.