NEWBURGH – A political candidate who was twice previously removed from a ballot for submitting invalid petitions has filed a challenge against the State Board of Elections (BOE) after being disqualified from the Democratic primary for the 104th Assembly seat.
Former Beacon City Council member Ali T. Muhammad submitted 652 signatures, and the Board of Elections found he was 19 short. He has challenged that determination, arguing that at least 25 of the signatures the Board invalidated are valid, which would qualify him for placement on the ballot.
He is attempting to challenge incumbent Jonathan Jacobson. The 104th Assembly District consists of the City and Town of Newburgh, Beacon, Poughkeepsie and the Towns of Plattekill, Marlboro and Lloyd. Muhammad’s attorney, Michael Sussman, said that Jacobson is the objector seeking to deep-six his campaign.
“Political competition fuels our system of government,” Muhammad said. “Invalid, hyper-technical challenges to political participation make it more difficult for non-incumbents to wage races which focus on substance. Mr. Jacobson is a do nothing, go along to get along Democrat who enjoys the free dinners associated with his position. I am about representing all our people with vigorous advocacy, not passivity as a means of advancing personal power.”
Jacobson said that the BOE found 26% Muhammad’s signatures to be invalid. The Assemblyman added that that included numerous signers who were not enrolled in the Democratic Party and non-registered individuals. Jacobson filed a petition with 2,290 legitimate signatures.
“I respect any candidate who steps forward to serve, and I welcome a vigorous, issue-focused campaign.,” Jacobson said. “Anyone who wants to make the laws in Albany must follow the laws to get on the ballot. Free and fair elections depend on clear rules that apply equally to every candidate. This has never been about limiting competition – it’s about upholding the integrity of a process that voters rely on.”
Muhammad ran a short-lived campaign against Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus in 2021 after the Orange County BOE ruled that Muhammad’s petitions were invalid, disqualifying him from the race. Neuhaus, a Republican, won in November unopposed.
In 2019, Muhammad ran against City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey. However, the BOE upheld Harvey’s objection to Muhammad’s Democratic nominating petition, disqualifying 117 of his 341 signatures. He needed 259 from registered party members. Muhammad remained in the race as an Independent and lost by a vote count of 1,569 to 529.
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