New York 9th District
Yvette Clarke (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Yvette Clarke
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 33 of 127 votes and bills.
Raised $1,288,234 since January 2025: 61% from PACs and other committees, 38% from people, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Joel Azumah
Republican · bus company owner, volleyball coach, civil engineer
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Azumah has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Azumah.
Higher on Liberty Score: Joel Azumah. Joel Azumah: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Yvette Clarke: F, 20 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in New York: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Joel Azumah, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Azumah, so the grade above comes from this list: what Azumah has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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In his 2020 iVoterGuide questionnaire he marked Neutral on backing a boycott of Israel if it refuses to allow a Palestinian state.
“I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A Neutral mark neither backs nor rejects the boycott, so it does not settle the measure.
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His issues page says the country should do its best to stay out of a major war while rebuilding infrastructure, and does not say whether to back Taiwan or Ukraine.
“We have to our best to stay out of a major war so that reinvestment in American infrastructure can take place.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
It does not say whether he would back Taiwan, Ukraine or NATO, so it does not settle the measure.
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His campaign site says he wants to speak freely without interference from governments or tech companies.
“We want to be able to speak freely without interference from our countries, other countries, or the whims of tech companies.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government and platform interference with speech is on the with side.
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His campaign site says property ownership should not face high taxes or heavy regulation.
“Property ownership should not be punished by the government with high taxes or onerous regulations.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Lower taxes on a named thing (property) and less regulation are on the with side.
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His issues page calls for raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $17 an hour as part of shrinking the welfare state.
“the federal minimum wage has to increase from $7.25/hour to $17/hour.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A minimum wage is not named by the measure's rules, so it is shown but counts for nothing.
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In his 2020 iVoterGuide questionnaire he marked Agree that the best way to maintain peace is a strong military.
“The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing a strong military is with liberty on defense.
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In his 2020 iVoterGuide questionnaire he marked Strongly Agree on building a wall and other infrastructure on the border.
“I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A border wall is with liberty on borders.
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In his 2020 iVoterGuide questionnaire he marked Strongly Disagree on abolishing ICE.
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing the abolition of ICE is with liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
New York 9th District
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