5th Congressional District endorsement — Meeks

Due to redistricting, the newly created 5th Congressional District has 6th C.D. incumbent Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) being challenged by Allan W. Jennings, a Democrat running on the Republican line, and Libertarian Catherine Wark.

Meeks, a seven-term congressman, demonstrated a strong knowledge of the issues affecting his potential constituents, ranging from the FEMA flood map debate to immigration.

Being a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and three related subcommittees has placed Meeks in the middle of helping the nation navigate through this economic crisis.

His membership on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a trio of associated subcommittees afford him a global perspective that is needed when dealing with the shifting international power structure.

The diversity of his present district melds well with the diverse communities of Elmont, Inwood and Valley Stream he would represent if re-elected.

Jennings, a two-term former City Councilman, offered less specificity and depth in his responses to questions. His success in obtaining laptops for third- through sixth-grade students in 12 elementary schools in his City Council district should be applauded, along with his stand against Mayor Bloomberg’s 18.5 percent property tax increase that he said his constituents couldn’t afford.

However, Jennings always appears to be an outlier with his party. He clashed with the Queens Democratic Party and was one of three Democrats who opposed Meeks in a four-way primary in June. Though Jennings demonstrates the strength to be an independent voice, we think that being a Democrat running as a Republican could lead to both parties mistrusting him, possibly muting any power he would have.

Both Meeks and Jennings have transgressions on the record. Meeks had one House Ethics investigation about a loan dropped in 2011, and another remains open. Jennings was censured by the City Council in 2005 after two women staffers accused him of sexual harassment. We ask that both men begin behaving in the manner befitting the office they are seeking.

Meeks said that he will work hard for his new constituents in the redrawn district, and we believe he will. It is for that reason and his record of accomplishment that the Herald endorses him.