Vote 2017: 12th District City Council seat

Three candidates will face off in the upcoming Democratic primary for a spot on the general election ticket for the 12th District City Council seat.
The district includes Wakefield, Olinville, Edenwald, Eastchester, Williamsbridge, Baychester and Co-Op City.
The incumbent candidate is Andy L. King, who took office in 2012 after winning a special election for the seat. He then won a full term in office in 2013.
King says he wants to focus on empowering the youth in the district by placing them in jobs and securing funding for city schools.
King's platform also zeroes in on senior citizen services, where he vows to fund senior centers and to fight against rent increases for the elderly.
He also is emphasizing community safety, saying he will increase patrols, add more street lights and create "safe zones" at local businesses.
One of King's challengers is Karee Lyn R. Gordon, a Bronx native with experience in nonprofitgroups.
Gordon says as a council member, she will focus on economic stability by supporting local small businesses and fighting against rent hikes.
She is also putting effort toward providing services for immigrants such as community centers with resources and legal advice.
Gordon is in favor of instituting a 21st-century curriculum at district schools.
The final candidate is Pamela A. Hamilton-Johnson, a former school board president and community activist.
Hamilton-Johnson says she is concerned with development in the Bronx, as she has highlighted her fight against the building of the now-scrapped Baychester Square Mall.
She also wants to focus on community programs, fighting against funding cuts for senior centers, after school programs and job training initiatives.
She is also highlighting education in her campaign, vowing to fight for equality in schools.
The Democratic primary takes place on Sept. 12.