By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/ Producer
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Mark Levine speaks Spanish, which is a pretty good attribute to have when you're running for State Senate in a district that encompasses Washington Heights and Inwood — particularly when your opponent is the first Dominican-American elected to a State House in the U.S.
Levine recognizes that despite being trilingual (he speaks Hebrew, too), he faces a brutal battle against Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat. Still, the Democratic district leader and community organizer says he is up for the challenge.
Levine, who is executive director of city non-profit Center for After-School Excellence, said he is as comfortable campaigning in Spanish as English, and makes regular appearances on Spanish language television.
As proof of his ability to win over the Latino demographic, he points to “Latinos Por Levine,” a coalition of small business owners, community board members, organizers and activists of Latino descent who support his candidacy.
“Everything I’ve done in my adult life has been about bringing that diversity together,” Levine, 41, said about the multiple ethnicities that make up the 32nd district. “What I’ve done in my political life and what I am doing on the campaign is to bring disparate groups together where lines are clearly divided. New York politics unfortunately often divides us more than it brings us together.”
Levine has been campaigning for the past six months, but only formally announced his candidacy on May 2, following an announcement by the district’s current State Sen. Eric Schneiderman that he was running for attorney general.
“The State Senate is without a doubt the epicenter of dysfunction,” said Levine. “Issues like tenant rights, economic justice, marriage rights will be held up until we get fundamental reform in Albany."
Levine has lived in Washington Heights since the early 1990s and now lives on Pinehurst Avenue with his wife Ivelisse and their 10-year-old and six-year-old sons, who attend PS 187, the local public school. The former public school teacher said that he views his lack of Albany experience as a good thing.
“The fact that I haven’t been in Albany for a decade or two is an asset,” he added. “There is a hunger in the community for a progressive agenda and if that If that means going against the leadership, so be it.”
But Espaillat, who currently represents Washington Heights and Inwood, said a proven legislative record is what counts for voters.
“There is a very distinct difference in talking about something and having a great platform and actually doing something about it,” Espaillat said in an interview, listing his success enacting legislation in the Assembly and going against party leaders when he disagreed with them.
“In order to change the Senate you must understand it,” he said. “You are going to have a difficult time facing the Espadas or Monserrates in the world without experience.”
Espaillat also said his cadre of multicultural endorsements represents the right mix of support for a successful campaign, listing endorsements including Schneiderman, State Sen. Bill Perkins, Assemblyman Denny Farrell, and Council Members Melissa Mark-Viverito and Ydanis Rodriguez, among others.
But Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf said when it comes to winning an election, endorsements, experience and ethnic make-up don’t factor.
What wins a race is who shows up to vote.
“Schneiderman holding the seat proves that a non-Latino candidate can win the seat,” he said. “Let’s look at who lives there. You have Dominicans and other people from Spanish speaking cultures, you have Jews, blacks…it’s probably among the most diverse communities in any district. The argument is who turns out to vote. There has never been a big Dominican turn out before.”
Sheinkopf also added that in this race, the question of Alabny experience is probably a moot point.
“Not being mucked up by Albany is helpful,” he said. “Having experience in Albany is helpful. It’s probably a wash.”
