Power Players in the 2022 Elections

Andrea Catsimatidis currently serves as chair of the Manhattan Republican Party. Within her role, Andrea works to administer the Republican message at the grassroots neighborhood level alongside other members of the Manhattan Republican Party executive committee. In addition to her role within the Manhattan Republican Party, Andrea serves as an executive of the Red Apple Group. Andrea is also on the board of the DoughMain Education Foundation to promote children’s financial literacy and is involved in additional charities including the Police Athletic League and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Jonathan Cervas joined Carnegie Mellon University in 2020 after receiving his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. His bachelor’s degree, also in Political Science, is from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In 2022, Jonathan was named the special master in charge of redrawing New York’s Congressional maps. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics? 
Free and equal justice in and through democracy

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
I’m hoping to see members of Congress working across the aisle for the people. The public is not polarized on the issues and wants to see a functioning democracy that puts people first.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
The degradation and erosion of democratic norms.

Senator Iwen Chu came to New York with a drive to pursue the American dream. While studying for her master’s degree in Sociology at Brooklyn College, she fell in love with New York’s diverse, vibrant cultures and all the city has to offer. Senator Chu has lived in Southern Brooklyn for the past 17 years and has worked in the New York State Assembly to bridge the gap between the Asian-American immigrant community and the State government. In November, she was elected to represent New York State Senate District 17. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
I’ve spent many years serving as a board member of Brooklyn Community Board 11, a council member of Community Education Council for District 20, a board director of HealthCare Choices, and a community partner for the NYPD 68th precinct. These experiences have been instrumental in my advocacy for a better quality of education, immigrant rights, and public and street safety. I will be a strong advocate for our working families and immigrant communities.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
One of the most important issues facing the United States is gun violence and the lack of action toward gun control. Government leaders need the political courage to pass strict gun laws and to close loopholes that continue to put our communities in danger. As a public school mom, I’m proud my campaign had the gun sense candidate distinction from Moms Demand Action. I am tired of saying enough is enough. We must be safe in all aspects of life; in schools, houses of worship, transportation system, everywhere.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
I look forward to fighting for language support for our immigrant communities, programs for our seniors, quality education and opportunities for our youth. In Albany, my colleagues and I will be working for a stronger economy, focusing on our local small businesses. There’s a lot of work to do for our public transportation system and I will use the position I’m in to fight for a safer, cleaner and more reliable system for New Yorkers

Zee Cohen-Sanchez founded Sole Strategies in the fall of 2020, right in the middle of one of the most tumultuous elections in recent history. After witnessing the corruption in the political system, Zee realized the need for grassroots efforts that can elicit true change within America. She dropped out of graduate school to devote herself to working in politics, and now, as executive director of Sole strategies, she’s leading the charge for change and flipping seats for Democratic candidates across the country.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics? 
I was motivated by social justice work ever since I was a young kid, but what really inspired me to get involved was the beginning of the Occupy Wall Street movement and shortly after that, the killing of Trayvon Martin. I realized that corruption ran deep in our political system and that activism wasn’t enough. If we want to see changes, we need to change the Democratic Party from the inside and elect people who care.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today? 
The most pressing issue facing our country is climate change. Natural disasters are getting worse and our infrastructure isn’t prepared for the future. Another major issue is corporate greed. The wealth gap in this country has never been worse. There’s no excuse for having a minimum wage that isn’t even close to a living wage. Corporate lobbying and union busting, particularly at massive corporations, are a huge threat to the future of our workforce. We need to elect working class candidates that have the drive to change these pressing issues.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over? 
I’m excited to find and connect with young, working-class Americans that are ready to run for office and help them get equipped to do so successfully. I’m really proud of people like Max Frost because they are leading the way and inspiring young people to get involved at a much more influential level than we’ve seen in the past.

Michael Cusick has worked in public service for over 30 years. Prior to his election, Cusick served as director of constituent services for U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and as chief of staff to former Staten Island Assemblyman Eric N. Vitaliano. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2003 and is currently serving his second term as chair of the Staten Island Democratic Party. As chair, Cusick has helped various Democratic leaders be elected to office, including Ann Thompson, the first Black woman elected to Staten Island’s Supreme Court. 

Anthony D’Esposito is a retired New York Police Department detective, a former volunteer fire chief, and the newly elected member of Congress representing New York’s 4th Congressional District. Anthony’s lifelong commitment to community service began during his tenure in the NYPD where he made over 600 arrests, many in connection with violent crimes. He previously served his South Shore Long Island neighbors as a tax-cutting Hempstead Town councilman, and is poised to bring his grassroots government, law enforcement, and first responder experience to Washington, D.C.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
The desire to better the lives of my neighbors. My tenure as a first responder enhanced my commitment to work on behalf of the public and put into clear focus the issues impacting my community. I believe the common-sense approach to problem-solving practiced by first responders lends itself well to a career in politics, and I felt I could utilize my past experience in law enforcement to tackle the issues facing my hometown.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
The most important issues are those impacting the daily lives of Americans: inflation, rising crime and a dangerous southern border. Runaway inflation makes it challenging for families to put food on the table. Violent crime is making communities across the country less safe, particularly in many parts of New York. The porous and seemingly open southern border is serving as a gateway for dangerous drugs to enter this country. I will work tirelessly to curb inflation, provide police the resources they need to safeguard our streets, and secure our borders.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work. I am excited to learn more about my colleagues, and forge relationships with fellow representatives in order to best deliver for my New York neighbors. Finding common ground and collaborating with others as much as possible while staying true to your beliefs and the community that elected you is how I will approach every challenge I face in Washington.

Dr. Ron Daniels is the founder and president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and the convener of the National African American Reparations Commission. Dr. Daniels is also a distinguished lecturer emeritus at York College and the City University of New York. He previously served as executive director of the National Rainbow Coalition and as deputy campaign manager for Rev. Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign in 1988 and was an independent candidate for president in 1992. Dr. Daniels is the first African executive director for the Center for Constitutional Rights, founded the Haiti Support Project, and authored Still On This Journey: The Vision and Mission of Dr. Ron Daniels.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
I am a scholar and social/political activist motivated by experiences of a mother struggling to raise children in the lower Hill District of Pittsburgh, the scene of August Wilson’s highly acclaimed plays. The stories of a mother raised in the coal fields of West, VA in the Great Depression. And, stories of a father facing racism in Georgia. Father was stanch supporter of NAACP – which is where I began my social and political activism.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
The greatest issue confronting Black America is overt white nationalism deeply embedded in the MAGA movement – which is a reflection of persistent structural/institutional racism and white supremacy. Reparations, which is an issue whose time has come, is the answer/solution to cleansing America of sin of enslavement and its legacies. Despite obstacles, African Americans keep rising to advance our interest and propel this nation towards a more perfect union.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
Continuing to push for the enactment of H.R. 40, the Congressional bill that will create a national commission to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans. The broad-based coalition is calling on President Biden to create the H.R. 40 Commission by executive order. 

Derrick Davis has over two decades of experience working in the city, state, and federal government. Throughout his career, he has specialized in policy-making, political consulting, and crisis management. In addition to his government experience, he has served in capacities including but not limited to political consultant, policy and strategic advisor, and campaign manager for a number of candidates across the country. As a consultant, he provides strategic guidance, messaging, field coordination services, and social media integration for candidates with nascent political experience up to long-serving public officials.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
I was motivated by a sense of responsibility to engage those disenchanted with the political process. Connecting the dots for those who initially eschewed politics because they were unaware of how to get involved, has been challenging but rewarding. Fortunately, I’ve had some incredible mentors along the way, public servants, consultants, as well as activists who helped guide and teach me how to empower others through the intentional utility of electoral politics and then governance.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Our nation has to come to terms with social and economic injustice. Providing greater access to quality education, vocations, entrepreneurial opportunities, homeownership, and wealth-building will help narrow the gap that leads to those well-documented recurring issues. We must be intentional and solution-driven about equity, lending our voices in ways that suit our talents and passions. I’ve been lucky to work with candidates and elected officials with the vision and political courage to face tough issues, but you don’t have to be elected to effect change. 

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
I look forward to working on issues for people who need the most assistance breaking through their struggles. I hope to continue collaborating with strategic thinkers and doers who are about building a better world for the next gen. I plan to follow those inspiring leaders who opened my eyes to the fact that complaining ain’t enough, you better get involved. It’s been a long, long time coming, but I know, a change gon’ come.

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado was initially sworn into office on May 25th, 2022, and went on to win a full term as lieutenant governor this past November. He is a graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Law School and previously represented New York’s 19th Congressional district. Lieutenant Governor Delgado has also worked as an attorney focused on complex commercial litigation and in the music industry.

Jake Dilemani is a partner in Mercury’s New York City office, leading public affairs, political consulting, and government relations projects. As part of the state’s leading government relations and political consulting teams, Jake has effectively blended research, message development, statistical analysis, media relations, and advocacy to achieve success for a variety of clients. Jake represents high-profile political campaigns and independent expenditures, national non-profit organizations and trade associations, Fortune 500 companies, foreign government officials, and a host of local, state, and national political leaders.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
The fascinating thing about politics is that to most people, it is like what Churchill said about Stalin: “it’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” But the truth is, politics is a field that is way more accessible–and central–to the American public than many think. It’s the forum in which priorities are debated and resources are allocated. Politics pervades all, and many times, the simplest explanation holds.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the US today?
In no particular order: climate change and its effect on our economics, politics, resource allocation, infrastructure development, national security, and health; geopolitical positioning vis-à-vis our international strategic rivals; the protection of our civil rights, democratic institutions, and with that, a need to vastly improve civics education across the country; creating new ways of addressing the national housing shortage which, if left unchecked, will stymie the ability of millions of Americans to achieve socioeconomic upward mobility and fulfillment. 

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
A vodka martini. Not that I needed an excuse.