Karim Camara (born June 3, 1971)[1] is an American pastor and former Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, where he represented the 43rd Assembly District which includes parts of the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Crown Heights, Lefferts Gardens and East Flatbush.[3] He is the founding and senior pastor of the Abundant Life Church in Brooklyn[4] and was previously the executive pastor of First Baptist Church of Crown Heights.[3] He was also the New York State Faith Director for the then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.[5]
Karim Camara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Faith Based Community Development Services | |
| In office February 2015 – June 2022 | |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 43rd district | |
| In office November 2005 – February 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Clarence Norman Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Diana Richardson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Karim Abdur-Razzaq June 3, 1971[1] Crown Heights, Brooklyn[2] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Orelia Merchant [3] |
| Children | 2 [3] |
| Residence(s) | Crown Heights, Brooklyn[2] |
| Alma mater | Xavier University of Louisiana New York Theological Seminary |
| Profession | Politician |
| Website | Official website |
He was first elected to the State Assembly in a November 2005 special election to replace Clarence Norman Jr. In February 2015, he vacated his seat to become executive director of the Office of Faith-Based Community Development.[6][7]
Early life and education edit
A native of Brooklyn, Camara (born Karim Abdur-Razzaq) spent most of his childhood in Crown Heights, Brooklyn[8] which is in the Assembly District he now represents. He also spent formative years both in Queens and on a farm in Westtown, New York (Orange County).
He graduated from Brooklyn Friends School in 1988.[9] He went on to attain his B.A. in English Literature and Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Masters of Divinity from the New York Theological Seminary.
Early career and personal life edit
He was the fundraising director for the Cush Campus Schools in Brooklyn, of which his mother is a founder and the principal.[10]
Camara resides in Brooklyn with his wife, Orelia E. Merchant, an assistant U.S. Attorney[10] and their two children.
Election results edit
- November 2005 special election, NYS Assembly, 43rd AD[11]
Karim Camara (DEM) ... 8,411 Geoffrey A. Davis (IND) ... 1,818 Kenneth E. Cook (REP - CON) ... 1,093
- November 2006 general election, NYS Assembly, 43rd AD[12]
- November 2008 general election, NYS Assembly, 43rd AD[13]
- November 2010 general election, NYS Assembly, 43rd AD[14]
References edit
- ^ a b "State Assembly: Karim Camara (D-WFP), District 43". Capitol Info. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
- ^ a b "Assembly Member Karim Camara (NY)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Assembly District 43, Karim Camara: Biography". New York State Assembly. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
- ^ "Abundant Life Church". Abundantlifeny.com. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ "The Governor's Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services". Welcome to the State of New York. 2015-06-04. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ McKinley, Jesse (February 20, 2015). "Cuomo Sets Special Election to Fill Grimm's Seat". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- ^ lovett, ken. "Karim Camara nearly doubles legislative salary in joining Cuomo administration". nydailynews.com. Retrieved Feb 19, 2021.
- ^ "Candidate - Karim Camara". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- ^ ""BFS Karim Camara '88 "". Archived from the original on 2007-11-21. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
- ^ a b "Orelia Merchant and Karim Camara". The New York Times. August 21, 2005.
- ^ "Special Election Results, 43rd Assembly District: November 8, 2005" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
- ^ "General Election Results, State Assembly: November 7, 2006" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 14, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
- ^ "General Election Results, State Assembly: November 4, 2008" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 4, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 23, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
- ^ "General Election Results, State Assembly: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 13, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2011.