Candidacy Fosters A Debate On Race

David Yassky, second from left, campaigns in the predominantly black Crown Heights section of Brooklyn for a seat in the U.S. House. "You talk to voters about what's important," said Yassky, a member of the New York City Council. (By Julienne Schaer)

Looking at the map of congressional districts today, Emanuel asked: "Are we at the point in the political process where you don't need a 70 percent district, but a 50 to 45 district, with the political capacity to be more competitive in surrounding areas, so that more Democrats can win?"

The rapid transformation of urban areas could force Democratic and civil rights leaders to rethink minority districts, voting rights experts say. A combination of gentrification, immigration, intermarriage and a migrating black middle class "means that race just doesn't have the power that it once did, in these kinds of settings," said Edward Blum, a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute who has written extensively about minority districts.

Just over half of the 40 black House members represent majority-black districts, while three of the four California black members represent larger Hispanic populations, said David A. Bositis, a senior research associate at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a think tank that focuses on minority issues.

But they are all serving in the Democratic minority. "Remember, the [Voting Rights Act] is about black voters, not black elected officials," Bositis said. "And black voters are not having their interests represented, although there are more black members of Congress."

That is the point Yassky made recently as he greeted voters on a corner of Eastern Parkway at the edge of Brooklyn's predominantly black Crown Heights neighborhood. Some people looked away when he approached, but others paused to shake his hand and express concerns about affordable housing, President Bush and the war in Iraq.

"You talk to voters about what's important," Yassky said. "You run your race. Voters are pretty thoughtful and will listen to the arguments. They want to see someone effective in Congress, and I think I have a really good case to make."

The 11th District was drawn in 1968 as a result of a Voting Rights Act lawsuit and was first occupied by Shirley Chisholm, who gained national prominence as an advocate of women and minority rights, and who ran for president in 1972. She was succeeded by Owens, a former librarian and state senator with liberal views and a penchant for passionate floor speeches, often delivered in rap style.

The district has evolved in recent years into a demographic melange, blending long-standing African American and Caribbean American populations with newer arrivals, including Arab, Asian and Hispanic immigrants and affluent white voters. The four candidates in the race to succeed Owens represent this new demographic reality: Yassky lives in wealthy Brooklyn Heights; City Council Member Yvette D. Clarke is of Caribbean descent; state Sen. Carl Andrews is an African American from Crown Heights; and Owens's son, Chris Owens, is biracial, having a white Jewish mother.

Attending an elementary school graduation last week, Yassky recalled that, not long ago, most of the students there were of Italian heritage.

Then he pointed to the program for this year's ceremony. Among the graduates' surnames were Wu, Ramos, Imran and Zapolsky, with one DeBenedetto and one Salerno.

Perhaps more dramatic has been the change in the district's income levels, which have skyrocketed along with property values. The imbalance is reflected in the candidates' campaign accounts. As of March 31, the end of the most recent campaign reporting period, Yassky had $750,000 cash on hand, compared with $450,000 combined for his three competitors.

"It's class, class, class," said Chris Owens, a Harvard and Princeton graduate who has managed his father's campaigns for 12 years. "Class is defining the face of Brooklyn. And as it defines Brooklyn, it will define its political representation."

One feature that has not changed is the district's deeply liberal bent. Regardless of class or color, Yassky and Owens said, voters are overwhelmingly opposed to the war in Iraq and want better schools and better health coverage. Anna Acosta, 21 and black, stopped to chat with Yassky along Eastern Parkway. Acosta said she is looking for a candidate who is willing to aggressively stand up to Republicans.

"It shouldn't be like that," she said of the racially motivated campaign against Yassky. "All that matters is that you're doing your job."