Read on Twitter
When we looked into the accusations against both candidates, what we found differs wildly from what this mailer asserts. If you’re interested in reading those words in context—and learning about the campaign Hutabarat is running—read our guide in full: http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/ https://twitter.com/kevinbforbounce/status/1293669305918398464
For example (as Hutabarat’s campaign and PR firm know well) in the Nimali Henry case, Lewis represented one, not four, of the defendants, who were correctional officers, not police. She did not choose to, but rather was appointed through a process akin to being a public defender.
We also looked into the role Lewis had working at an environmental law firm, and the truth is more nuanced than what the mailer suggests.
We reached out to both candidates in good faith to get answers about some murky rumors. If you read our guide in full, you won’t be surprised by a bad faith mailer: http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
The troubling accusation that prompted us to contact the candidates directly was that Hutabarat’s live-in boyfriend, Mark El-Amm, owned, operated, and profited from 7 illegal whole home STRs, possibly for years. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
When you’re running to be judge of eviction court, it is extremely relevant for the public to know the truth. Short term rentals have been definitively linked to rising eviction rates, and are widely understood to be a driver of our ever-worsening housing crisis.
We couldn’t find a formal financial link between Hutabarat and El-Amm, though (after accusing us of being sexist for asking) she did acknowledge that a member of her household has operated STRs, but that pending litigation prevents her from commenting. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
We located and read all public records corresponding to the litigation that appeared to be what she was referring to, and what we found was quite damning. We cited the case and summarized it as succinctly as possible. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
It is up to you to decide if you think El-Amm’s alleged misconduct, which took several housing units off the rental market in the interest of opportunistic profit, reflects on Hutabarat’s character. It’s up to you to decide if it creates dangerous bias. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
In contrast to the hostility and reticence we encountered corresponding with Hutabarat’s campaign, Lewis was quite open and accommodating. That doesn’t mean we are carrying water for either candidate. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
Having any part in defending a pipeline, even indirectly, troubles us. But we aren’t under any illusions about what being a lawyer is, what it means. Lawyers take on troubling cases. That’s why we don’t endorse people. No candidate can meet our standards. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
However, after looking in depth at the accusations against each candidate, we prioritized info related to housing, and related to being honest and forthcoming, since the position is judgeship of eviction court. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
We began writing the voter education guide wishing the candidates had done more to differentiate themselves. Upon interacting with them and delving into rumors, we discovered they are very different women running very different campaigns. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
Hutabarat’s PR firm sent us screenshots of social media posts mischaracterizing Lewis’ career. Lewis refused to say anything at all about her opponent, citing a commitment to a clean campaign. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
When we asked about equal access in the courtroom for people with disabilities, Hutabarat replied with remarks about sanitation and scheduling. Lewis replied with a commitment to coming up with creative solutions to ensure every litigant has a fair shot. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
We are living through a pandemic. Eviction court should not be open. People are going to become homeless as a result of government inaction and landlord greed. People are going to die because of it. Our only endorsement was for joining the @NolaRenters assembly.
Judges only have so much discretion, but among those of us who wrote the guide are people who have observed eviction proceedings multiple times and know that judges rarely use the discretion they have.
It’s easy to seem electable when you haven’t taken many stands on difficult issues. Actions speak louder than highly manipulated optics.
Politicians rely on an ignorant, apathetic, and media illiterate populace. When they lie to you or misrepresent the truth they’re telling you what they think of your intelligence. They’re telling you how little they think of you. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
Who do you want deciding our eviction cases? Who do you want determining if your and your neighbors are displaced? Do you want someone who thinks they can fool you and get away with it? http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
No matter how proactive you decide to be in mobilizing your friends to vote in this election, our guide tells a story. The story is about power. It’s about the cozy relationship between elected officials, wealthy developers, and high level city employees. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
Unlike many candidates, we think you’re intelligent. We think you can educate yourselves and come to your own conclusions. In other words, we respect you. So we believe this is a story worth telling. http://antigravitymagazine.com/feature/antigravity-voting-guide-august-15-2020/
