CITYWIDE
Mayoral Race
Endorsements
On Jan. 16, Councilmember Alicka Ampry-Samuel (D-Brooklyn) endorsed Eric Adams for Mayor.
“Eric Adams is ready to be Mayor,“ said Ampry-Samuel. “As our City and State are struggling, we need a mayor who knows our city well, understands the power and breadth of the office, and most importantly knows the people. Eric Adams is just as comfortable on Park Avenue as he is in Lefferts-Fenimore and NYCHA campuses across the city. There is only one person in this mayoral race who will make sure that our 400,000 NYCHA residents are heard, and that’s the one who has been listening, working and present.”
Announcements
Andrew Yang this week had his tour of New York City cut short after a a member of the campaign staff received a positive result on a rapid COVID test.
At the time, Yang was all set to walk the streets of Bushwick with former City Councilmember Rafael Espinal.
“Since that time, Andrew has tested negative and is not experiencing any symptoms. The most recent event the campaign staffer attended was an outdoor event on Sunday. In keeping with New York State guidelines, Andrew will conduct all campaign activities remotely for the next eight days. He will not resume in-person events until he receives a negative PCR test after that period,” said Yang’s spokesperson.
Events
- Eastside Democratic Club Mayoral Candidate Forum: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2-4 p.m. (Registration link TBA)
- Grand Street Democrats Mayoral Forum: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m. (Registration link here)
- Four Freedoms Democratic Club Mayoral Endorsement Meeting: Thursday, Feb. 18, 6:45-8:45 p.m. (Registration link here)
Comptroller Race
Endorsements
On Jan. 20, Comptroller candidate Brad Lander and City Council District 35 candidate Crystal Hudson joined forces in their respective races and decided to endorse each others’ campaigns.
“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.
“Our city is facing a moment of great crisis, and it’s clear we need skilled, experienced leaders fighting for an equitable recovery from this pandemic by investing in truly affordable housing, fighting for racial justice, protecting workers, and making our city government function for the struggling many, not the wealthy few,” said Hudson.
Announcements
On Jan. 18, Comptroller candidate Brian Benjamin released a statement pledging his support for the movement to defund the police.
“Today, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we are gathered to remember the life of Dr. King and join together as a community to further the legacy of his work,” said Benjamin. “In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and the growing unrest in our nation, the need for criminal justice reform has never been stronger or more urgent. I support the movement to defund the police because I believe that there are parts of the NYPD budget that are not essential to public safety.
“As Comptroller, on Day 1, I will launch a programmatic audit of the $5.42 billion our city spends on policing to provide a blueprint for responsibly defunding the NYPD. Post audit, I will be able to make thoughtful recommendations as to where those resources can be reallocated as we look towards reimagining public safety in New York City. Our goal must be to use the powers of the office to prioritize more public safety measures, not more law enforcement.”
MANHATTAN
Manhattan District Attorney Race
Endorsements
On Jan. 14, the East River Democratic Club endorsed Dan Quart for Manhattan District Attorney. During the same meeting, they also endorsed Ben Kallos for Manhattan Borough President, David Weprin for City Comptroller, and Tricia Shimamura and Keith Powers for City Council.
On Jan. 19, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx) announced his endorsement for Tali Farhadian Weinstein.
“Tali’s north star has always been to protect vulnerable communities,” said Torres. “I am excited to see a woman and an immigrant serve as Manhattan’s top prosecutor and to set the national example there.”
On the same day, the Lower East Side’s Coalition for a District Alternative (CODA LES) voted to endorse two new candidates; the first was Tahanie Aboushi for Manhattan District Attorney.
On Jan. 21, Weinstein picked up another endorsement – this one from esteemed First Amendment Lawyer Victor A. Kovner, former Corporation Counsel for the City of New York.
““To every resident of Manhattan, the skills of whomever is our District Attorney is critical,” said Kovner. “And while there are several capable candidates in the Democratic Primary, including a number with substantial prosecutorial experience, there is one who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Tali Farhadian Weinstein has a truly remarkable record.”
Announcements
This week, Eliza Orlins rolled out a plan to create a new Conviction Review Unit (CRU)
The CRU would be a team comprised of attorneys, scientists and analysts, with three major functions: intervening in cases to prevent wrongful convictions, analyzing and publishing data on prosecutorial decisions and actions, and reviewing the DA’s policy for fairness and accuracy.
“It is not enough to review cases years after conviction when new evidence is presented or when court appeals are successful,” said Orlins. “The Manhattan DA’s office must be proactive to ensure cases are justly executed justly. Strong evidence suggests that most wrongful convictions, specifically ones in which an innocent person is sent to prison, are the direct result of prosecutorial mistakes or misconduct. Any Manhattan DA that espouses justice reform and progress must prioritize the rigorous examination of their own agency and use data-driven, expert guided, and scientifically valid approaches to do so.”
Events
- Four Freedoms Democratic Club Manhattan District Attorney Endorsement Meeting: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 6:45-8:45 p.m. (Registration link here)
Manhattan Borough President Race
Endorsements
Brad Hoylman was the second candidate endorsed by CODA LES on Jan. 19.
Meanwhile, Ben Kallos received an endorsement from the Four Freedoms Democratic Club, which they announced this morning. The club also voted to endorse Brad Lander for City Comptroller.
City Council Races
Endorsements
District 1
On Jan. 19, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) endorsed Jenny Low for City Council.
“Jenny Low is a proud product of the New York City public schools and a strong advocate for her community,” they said in a statement. “The Council needs her voice and passion come November.”
District 3
On Jan. 15, Erik Bottcher sent out a press release announcing a slew of new endorsements. Among these were former Councilmember Ronnie Eldridge, and U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx).
“Erik is a proven leader with a keen understanding of the needs and issues impacting residents, and bold vision for solutions to the City’s most pressing challenges,” said Torres. “In the Council, he will fight for more affordable housing, protect workers’ rights, and ensure that our City is safe and accessible to all. I am proud to endorse Erik to be the next Council Member for District 3.”
On Jan. 19, Aleta LaFargue received an endorsement from Mark Ruffalo, an actor most widely renowned for playing Bruce Banner in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This is the second celebrity endorsement she’s received, after being endorsed by legendary rapper Common on Jan. 11.
“As an actor and entertainer who lives in Manhattan, I’ve seen firsthand how the arts have been determinately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ruffalo. “That is why I am proud to endorse Aleta LaFargue for City Council. A champion for the arts, Aleta is the perfect choice to lead the fight in the revitalization of the theater industry and arts, and her integrity and determination make her an excellent choice for City Council.”
District 5
On Jan. 19, Rebecca Lamorte received an endorsement from Sheet Metal Workers Local 28, a union founded in New York over a century ago.
“We are building a movement for working people here in District 5, and I am so honored that Sheet Metal Workers Local 28 is the fifth labor union ready to fight alongside us for a better, more equitable New York,” said Lamorte.
District 6
On Jan. 9, former Council candidate Seth Rosen announced his endorsement for Sara Lind for Council District 6.
“Sarah is my choice to represent our community and she is the smart, innovative, strategic leader we need on the Council,” Rosen said in a tweet. “Plz make a contribution today!”
District 7
On Jan. 15, Marti G. Allen-Cummings announced endorsements from four noteworthy figures in their district. The endorsers were as follows: Reverend Georgiette Morgan-Thomas, Housing Advocate Harry Marte, and Community Leaders Tanya Bonner and Shaneeka Wilson.
On Jan. 21, Allen-Cummings received another endorsement – this one from State Senator Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn).
“Marti brings a unique experience to politics not only as an activist but as a gig worker,” said Salazar. “They will fight for our small businesses and tenants as they have shown time and time again. I am excited to support Marti because they represent the vibrant joy we need in our elected politics.”
Announcements
District 3
On Jan. 19, Erik Bottcher released a comprehensive plan to address the unsafe and unsustainable sanitary conditions in District 3.
His plan, which he’s dubbed his “Clean District 3” platform, entails a wide range of reforms, ranging from increasing the frequency of trash pickups to designing a high-tech tubular system to whisk waste away. The full plan is available here.
“Picking up the trash and keeping our neighborhoods clean is one of the fundamental responsibilities of city government,” said Bottcher. “If New York City is going to recover economically from this crisis, we need to put our best foot forward to the world, and that includes having clean streets. Overflowing corner baskets represent a failure of government services. It’s time to rethink our approach to sanitation and give it the resources that it deserves.
District 5
On Jan. 20, Tricia Shimamura was officially sworn in as the First Vice Chair of Manhattan Community Board 8 (CB8).
“Tonight I was sworn in as First Vice Chair of my Community Board with my son on my lap,” Shimamura said in a tweet. “I fought for our homeless neighbors and got a reso passed in support of #universalchildcare, and this morning I saw a woman who looked like me be sworn in as #VicePresident. It was a good day.”
District 7
On Jan. 19, Maria Ordoñez earned the distinction of being the youngest City Council candidate in NYC history to max out on fundraising. To date, Ordoñez has received over 700 contributions, at least 135 of which came from residents of CD7.
“The day that the working-class people of this country feel like they can run for office is the moment that democracy is finally working for us,” she said. “As an organizer and activist, running for city council, I am fighting to finally have a democracy that’s not just for the rich, established, or well-connected, but for the people, by the people.”
District 10
On Jan. 21, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) officially endorsed five female City Council candidates from across the City, one of whom was Carmen De La Rosa.
“Honored to have the support of @RWDSU as I seek to represent our amazing and resilient community in CD 10 where workers have braved the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure our neighbors have food on each table,” De La Rosa said in a tweet. “I join this fight committed to standing up for our essential workers!”
Events
- Uptown Community Democrats City Council District 7 Candidate Forum: Thursday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m. (Registration link here)
