Editor’s Note: Every Friday, we will be posting a brief rundown of new developments in the primary races for citywide office.
Mayoral Race
Endorsements
Both Andrew Yang and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams received endorsements for their mayoral campaigns.
Yang was endorsed by Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Queens). He was also endorsed by Martin Luther King Jr. III on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Meanwhile, Adams received endorsements from Assemblymember Erik Dilan (D-Brooklyn) and City Councilmember Alicka Ampry-Samuel (D-Brooklyn).
Events
The mayoral candidates in the upcoming 2021 elections joined Al Sharpton’s National Action Network Martin Luther King Jr. Day public policy forum. A recording of the livestream of the forum is available on Vimeo.
Mayoral candidate Maya Wiley also held a virtual volunteer kickoff rally this past Monday which drew 140 New Yorkers from across the five boroughs. The volunteer kickoff came after the Wiley campaign announced last week that it had met the threshold to qualify for matching funds – the only candidate in the race to do so in a single period.
“This campaign is going to be powered by New Yorkers because that’s who I am fighting for,” said Maya Wiley. “I am so grateful for everyone who took time on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to come together and discuss how we can emerge from this crisis a stronger, fairer, and more just city. Volunteers are going to be the heartbeat of our campaign for mayor and I am absolutely blown away by the enthusiastic response we got from across New York City.
There are a few upcoming events involving mayoral candidates next week.
Advocates for Children of New York is hosting a panel on education policy with mayoral candidates on Wednesday, January 27 at 7 p.m.
“The next Mayor of New York City must come prepared with a robust plan for recovery and for advancing the academic, social, and emotional needs of all students,” they said in an Instagram post about the event.
The Eastside Democratic clubs are holding a forum with mayoral candidates on Thursday, January 28, 6:30 p.m. Register for the forum in advance online.
Finally, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Greater New York (CACAGNY) is hosting a Mayoral Candidates Forum focused on New York City Public Schools on Thursday January 28, at 7 p.m. Participating candidates so far are Adams, Yang, Kathyrn Garcia, Ray McGuire and Loree Sutton. Registration for the forum is available online.
In Other News
Sara Tirschwell, the Chief Financial Officer for Foundation House, officially entered the mayoral race last week.
And Yang had to quarantine after a campaign staffer tested positive for COVID-19 and will be conducting his campaign activities remotely until he receives a negative PCR test after the required quarantine period.
Comptroller Race
Endorsements
Comptroller Candidate Assemblymember David Weprin (D-Queens) received a few endorsements for his campaign.
Assemblymember William Colton (D-Brooklyn) and District Leader Charles Ragusa both endorsed Weprin in his bid for comptroller.
Weprin was also endorsed by a handful of elected officials, labor unions and democratic clubs including Assemblymember Bill Colton (D-Brooklyn), Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Queens), President of the NYC Fire Marshals Benevolent Association William Kregler, former Congressmember Steve Israel, the former Chair of the DCCC who represented part of Queens in the House of Representatives, and Manhattan’s East River Democratic Club.
“I am extremely proud of the momentum our campaign is building,” said Weprin. “Voters, donors, elected officials, labor unions, Democratic organizations, community and clergy leaders from across the city are joining our campaign, as they trust that as our next Comptroller I will ensure that our pensions are protected and that through this fiscal crisis the City’s budget is not balanced on the backs of working and middle-class New Yorkers.”
Comptroller Candidate City Councilmember Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn) also announced that he and Crystal Hudson, candidate for Brooklyn’s 35th City Council district, are endorsing each other’s campaigns.
Lander, whose district neighbors the 35th, co-founded the Council’s Progressive Caucus and serves as the Deputy Leader for Policy. Hudson, a public servant and community organizer, is running to represent Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Bed-Stuy.
“Crystal Hudson is a true Brooklyn story; a third-generation Brooklynite and a fierce advocate for her neighbors who has built a career in public service by delivering the progressive results her community needs,” said Lander. “Meg and I feel grateful to have worked side-by-side with Crystal and Sasha in fights for social justice for over a decade. In this time of dire need for our city and our borough, there’s no one better equipped to hit the ground running for the 35th Council District than Crystal Hudson, and I’m proud to endorse her today.”
Lander was also endorsed by the Four Freedoms Democratic Club.
