Councilwoman’s write-in campaign starts by attacking community members

POUGHKEEPSIE – First Ward Councilmember Debra Long lost the Democratic primary election in June to political newcomer Ernest Henry.  Long announced her bid for re-election in a social media post on Sunday.  The rambling post was also used as a vehicle to smear Henry, former SNUG employee Yahyah Archer, members of the city’s Democratic Committee, and a Muslim member of the community.

“I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW, THAT DR DEBRA LONG ID RUNNING FOR THE FIRST WARD AS A WRITE IN,” the post said (in that exact format).  She has vowed to let everyone know that the official Democratic candidate, Ernest Henry, was convicted of murder and sent to prison.

Henry did not dispute the statement but instead addressed it head-on when he spoke with Mid-Hudson News.  Henry was two years into receiving his undergraduate degree when he committed a murder.  He was sentenced to prison 40 years ago, in 1983.  He spent 24 years in various facilities and was released in 2007.  During his time in prison, he worked in the law library at every facility he was in and completed finished with his college degree.  He cited the volunteers who go into prisons to teach and counsel the inmates as reasons for his post-prison successes.  “So much time was invested in me and I am spending my time giving it back by helping others,” he said.  Henry is heavily involved in the non-profit “Hudson Valley Re-entry Network” which helps former inmates adjust to living as a free person, including dealing with stigmas such as being forever called a felon.

Despite Long’s vow to publicize Henry’s indictment and felony arrest through postings and mailings, “I want everyone to realize that I am running against a person who committed a very series defensive MURDER IN ITS HIGHEST DEGREE!!” The quote as it appears is exactly the way it was written in her social media post.  Rather than dwell on the attack from Long, Henry has chosen to focus instead on his goals when elected.  He has…