Adem Bunkeddeko

Adem Bunkeddeko (born 6 November 1987) is an American politician and activist. A member of the Democratic Party, he is contesting in the Democratic Primary in the New York's 9th congressional district, slated for June 2020. He was the runner-up in the Democratic Party primary in the same congressional district, in June 2018. He lost the election to the incumbent Yvette Clarke, receiving 47% of the vote.
Early life
He was born on November 6, 1987 in Queens, New York City to Jean and Sully Bunkeddeko, both of whom are social workers and war refugees from Uganda.
Bunkeddeko was raised, together with his three siblings, in a one-bedroom apartment in the borough of Queens. He attended public schools before earning a scholarship to attend the Pennington School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science while minoring in philosophy from Haverford College, in Haverford, Pennsylvania. He went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School, in Boston Massachusetts.
Early career
Bunkeddeko worked as a political organizer in Brooklyn for the New York Working Families Party. In 2010, Bunkeddeko managed congressional campaigns for the Democratic Party in Arkansas. He also worked as a community organizer at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, where he helped low-income families. He then worked at New York’s Empire State Development Corporation, working to revitalize underserved communities in Brooklyn. After earning his M.B.A., he returned to Brooklyn and continued to serve on Brooklyn Community Board 8, while working as the associate director of business initiatives at Brooklyn Community Services.
2018 campaign
Bunkeddeko mounted a Democratic Party primary against veteran US Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who has represented New York's 9th congressional district since 2013, and has been a congresswoman since 2007. In his campaign, he pointed out the incumbent's relative lack of legislative achievements, poor constituent services, embarrassing episodes, a change in district demographics, and voter fatigue. He raised US$231,000 for his campaign, compared to Ms. Clarke's US$620,000.
Bunkeddeko, who lives in a rent-stabilized apartment in Brooklyn, made affordable housing the backbone of his campaign, emphasizing that the ability to afford suitable housing is the cornerstone of achieving the American dream.
Endorsements
Bunkeddeko was endorsed by the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, for his belief that everyone has the right to pursue the American Dream, without regard to their gender, age, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion or economic status. He also received the endorsement of The New York Times Editorial Board, for his advocacy for routes to home ownership for families making between $30,000 and $80,000 a year.
2020 campaign
During the campaign for the democratic party primary, in a field with four other candidates, Bunkeddeko again makes housing, the cornerstone of his campaign. He has published a policy paper that promotes what he calls the “American Homes Guarantee”, which treats housing as a basic human right.<ref name="1R"/>

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