Guyanese American Albert Baldeo, who created history by becoming the first person ever elected District Leader twice, in two different Assembly Districts, AD 38 (2008), and AD 24 (2022), is campaigning for the State Senate on Aug. 23 to unseat, Sen. Joe Addabbo, for a newly drawn 15th district which comprises Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Glendale, Maspeth, Kew Gardens and Middle Village.
In a statement to Caribbean Life, Baldeo, who was the youngest magistrate, Senior State Counsel, Police Legal Advisor in Guyana and the Commonwealth, said he brought triumph, inspiration, and pride to the large South Asian and Indo-Caribbean population in Queens at the last elections, when he came the closest to winning a State Senate seat when he was declared the new Senator, but which decision was later reversed to a “narrow defeat by 500 votes,” overnight, in 2006.
However, he has proved that he is still the leading voice and power broker from that community that was built by the blood, sweat and tears of immigrants that share a common heritage, and hopes that his base will seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to secure representation, and come out to vote for a larger voice.
A champion for the people, Baldeo is well-known for his efforts to return and preserve democracy in Guyana recently, and successfully appealed to then US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, about the hijack of democracy and the need to restore democracy and law and order in Guyana, his native country.
“We will continue to monitor disruptions of democracy, peace and public safety in Guyana also, foster more cooperation between the Caribbean and the Diaspora, while uplifting the lives of everyone living in the US,” Baldeo said.
A passionate, respected, and accomplished advocate and civil rights leader, and prominent, retired attorney, his triumph has been welcomed across the district as a fighter, champion, and hero. His success was attained without any institutional help from the status quo, very much like Guyanese-Barbadian American, the iconic Shirley Chisholm, before him.
His success is even more impressive when one considers that his community was gerrymandered into 4 different Assembly Districts, which dilutes their votes and their voices. Baldeo proved that voters are fed up with politics as usual, and want genuine grassroots representatives, like him, to represent them, to further their interests, and speed up the recovery process, said a release.
Baldeo says his rise inspires others who have been unfairly victimized, suppressed and discriminated by an imperfect judicial system, and marginalized from the mainstream of American politics, dreams, and life.
“My history is about rising back from injustice and discrimination, a legacy that will motivate others who have been targeted by an imperfect American system. From being the youngest Magistrate and Senior State Counsel ever in the Commonwealth, to twice elected District Leader, he is a beacon of encouragement to others,” said the activist.
Baldeo has returned at the helm, said community leaders, adding, “We know Albert Baldeo will be a strong, courageous voice for our communities as he retakes his seat in the table of government, the Queens County Democratic Organization, and in the corridors of power. Our communities will be represented at all levels of power and leadership. This is also a reminder that good will always triumph over evil, and that you can’t keep good people down.”
