Central Park Five pol candidate Yusef Salaam calls himself a doctor — but he’s not

Harlem Council candidate Yusef Salaam, one of the exonerated defendants in the infamous Central Park jogger rape case, touts himself as “Dr.” Salaam in his biography — but critics have pointed out that he’s not really a doctor in the traditional sense.

Salaam is not a medical doctor, nor has he earned a college doctorate in any field.

He instead uses the prestigious title based on an honorary degree awarded by the Anointed by God Ministries Alliance, which is a non-accredited online school.

“You’re a doctor in name only. You’re not even accredited,” said one Democratic strategist, who requested anonymity.

Political sources added that a candidate for public office loosely using the Dr. title based on a symbol honorific degree could run into trouble on the campaign trail.

But the Salaam campaign defended his Dr. title and called the criticism a cheap shot that could backfire.

“Yusef Salaam received an honorary Doctorate from a community organization in recognition of his decades-long work to reform a racially biased criminal justice system that wrongfully imprisoned him for nearly 7 years for a crime he didn’t commit,” said Salaam campaign manager Jordan Wright.

“His bio has always correctly identified this as an honorary title, and opponents’ attempts to cheapen or trivialize the adversity he has overcome will not succeed.”

Political consultant Hank Sheinkopf said he had no problem with Salaam referring to himself as Dr. given his wrongful imprisonment and the fact that faith-based groups often award honorary degrees.

“If he wants to call himself royal highness,” Sheinkopf said, “he should be called royal highness.”  

The current Harlem councilwoman, Kristen Richardson Jordan, shook up the race last week when she announced she would not seek re-election, just weeks before the June 27 Democratic primary.

That leaves Salaam locked in a competitive race with two Harlem Democrat Assembly members — Inez Dickens and Al Taylor.

Salaam on Tuesday announced the endorsement of former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields and has the backing of Manhattan Democratic leader Keith Wright, who resides in the district.

Dickens announced the endorsements of the United Federation of Teachers and the 150-group Greater Harlem Coalition over the past two days.