Power Players in the 2022 Elections

Mark Guma grew up in New Orleans and worked on his first campaign for the reform candidate for Governor during high school. His first job out of college was as press secretary in former U.S. Representative Nita Lowey’s first campaign for Congress, and he’s been helping elect Democrats in New York and nationally ever since. Mark lives in Connecticut with his wife and two sons. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
I’ve been interested in politics since I was a kid (thanks largely to my parents) and believe, as cliche as this is, that the choices we make in the political sphere really matter. Even though I’ve been doing this for a long time now, I still love the work—the challenge of getting good Democrats elected, especially underdogs.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
This requires a lot more than 90 words to answer! I would probably start by saying we need to figure out how to break the hold that the right-wing media ecosystem—from Fox News to Breitbart and Bannon to all the loons in between—has on tens of millions of Americans. Because it not only fuels hatred and division but makes it so much harder to deal rationally with big issues such as climate change and voting rights or even to teach the basic facts of American history in our public schools.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over? 
Getting more sleep and being able to spend more time with my family. And having time to read books again! Just finished Isabel Wilkerson’s brilliant Caste and Adam Hochschild’s American Midnight.

Hamilton Campaign Network is a nationally recognized, Latinx-owned and managed political consulting firm providing a full range of strategic solutions and state-of-the art voter contact services for high-profile issue advocacy, community-based marketing and political campaigns. Launched in 2016 as a sister company to the MirRam Group, the firm embodies a 25+ year track record of legislative and political acumen, research and organizing experience, working with stakeholders to engage Latinos/as in the political process and provide a roadmap for large-scale voter participation efforts throughout the country.

Kathy Hochul is the first female Governor of the State of New York. Prior to serving in statewide office, she was a member of Congress representing New York’s 26th Congressional district. Governor Hochul began her career in public service working at her local town board before becoming Erie County Clerk. She served as Lieutenant Governor from 2015 to 2021 and is a graduate of Syracuse University and Catholic University.

Bradley Honan, CEO & president of Honan Strategy Group, is a nationally known political pollster and strategist.  Elisabeth Zeche is co-founder and partner at the firm. Honan Strategy Group works at the crossroads of politics, public affairs and corporate boardrooms.  They advise political candidates, advocacy groups, non-profits, and business leaders about how to reach, persuade and engage key audiences.  Honan Strategy Group leverages polling, focus groups and data analytics, including sophisticated voter targeting analysis and data mapping, to inform a client’s strategy, messaging, and targeting work.  Bradley is currently co-president of the NY Metro region of the American Association of Political Consultants and recently was named to the board of directors of the Public Relations Society’s New York Chapter.  He is also frequently quoted and writes about politics and public opinion research for such outlets as CNN, Worth Magazine, The New York Daily News, NBC Think, and City & State Magazine among others.  In addition to working directly with political candidates and PACs, some industries of focus include; energy, gaming, healthcare and real estate development, among others.

Bill Hyers is a partner and managing director of The Win Company. Hyers previously served as campaign manager for Bill de Blasio’s successful New York City mayoral campaign and as Pennsylvania state director for President Barack Obama’s campaign. He was named Campaign Manager of the Year by the American Association of Political Consultants and previously served in the U.S. Army as a military police soldier.

In 2019, Letitia “Tish” James became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected Attorney General. Previously, Tish served as New York City Public Advocate, becoming the first woman of color to hold citywide office, and spent 10 years representing the 35th District in the New York City Council. Throughout her time in public service, and now as the ‘People’s Lawyer,’ Tish has focused on fighting for justice, investigating bad actors, and standing up for vulnerable communities.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
When I was younger, the book Simple Justice: The History of Brown v. Board of Education and Black America’s Struggle for Equality by Richard Kluger helped influence my views on civil and human rights and the need to make our society a more perfect union for all. That’s why my first job out of Howard Law School was as a public defender with the Legal Aid Society, and that’s why I’ve spent every year since in public service.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Our communities in New York and throughout the nation are facing a gun violence crisis, as well as attacks against our most basic rights and freedoms. It is important that we make every effort to ensure public safety and respect for our laws. That’s why as Attorney General, my office has helped remove more than 3,800 guns off the streets, among the many other measures we have taken to get weapons of war out of our communities. From taking down violent criminal rings to hosting gun buybacks statewide, to suing gun manufacturers and distributors for flooding our streets with ghost guns and other weapons of war — my office is doing everything possible to keep people safe. No matter the circumstances, we will continue working tirelessly to seek justice and protect New Yorkers and their rights.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
Public service is what I’m passionate about and what gets me going every day. From advocating for everyday New Yorkers to holding bad actors accountable to safeguarding civil rights and the environment, my office has been relentless in pursuing justice. I am proud of the great work that we have accomplished over the past four years, and I look forward to continuing our work in serving New Yorkers.

Hakeem Jeffries represents New York’s 8th Congressional district, which encompasses large parts of Brooklyn and a section of Queens, and is the incoming House Democratic leader. Serving his sixth term in the United States Congress, Representative Jeffries is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and House Budget Committee. In Congress, Rep. Jeffries is a tireless advocate for social and economic justice. He has worked hard to help residents recover from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, reform our criminal justice system, improve the economy for everyday Americans, and protect our healthcare from right-wing attacks. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Jeffries served for six years in the New York State Assembly.

Jenny Galvin and Cameron Hellerman are political consultants and strategists based in New York City. JLG Strategy works with local, state, and federal democratic campaigns and organizations. Their recent work includes the successful campaigns of New York Attorney General Letitia James, Congressman-elect Dan Goldman, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg; organizations such as Future Now and Vote Mama; and leading the fundraising operation for a 2021 New York City Mayoral race.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
Because of personal experiences growing up, we saw from an early age how our systems treated people differently based on who you are. It seemed to us the best way to make change and rectify that (and use the privilege we have) was to change the people who had control of the systems! We also both have parents, who served as inspirations and empowered us, to use our voices and fight for structural change.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Protecting democracy, gun control, equal rights whether it be a women’s right to reproductive freedom, or a trans person’s access to healthcare and education, and the care economy to uplift women and working families i.e. universal childcare and paid family leave. But– none of these issues will be fixed in the way we need them to be until 1.) we fix our broken system of gerrymandering, which has led to a minority rule 2.) get big money out of politics (and we say that as fundraisers!)

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
Working with organizations to use our new governing power, particularly in state legislatures, watching the candidates we helped elect improve lives, and laying the groundwork to make sure they are in a strong position for the next election cycle. Spending more quality time with our family, friends, and informal mascot, Jenny’s mini doxie, Arnie.

As chair of the New York City Racial Justice Commission, Jennifer Jones Austin led the development and passage of three unprecedented proposals to amend the city’s charter with the goal to dismantle structural racism and advance racial equity in government functions. As CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Jennifer has secured monumental changes in social policy to empower the disenfranchised. She also is a radio host, author, editor, vice chair of the National Action Network’s board of directors, founding member of the state’s 400 Years of African-American History Commission, and a scholar in residence at Alliance University’s Center for Racial Reconciliation.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
In a society where certain people are systematically marginalized, advancing human and economic rights is all politics. As the daughter of an esteemed faith and justice leader, I learned early on that racism is a social construct embedded in our nation’s laws and must be fought at the systems level. And, as a civil rights lawyer and advocate, I’ve learned that the politics that attend racial injustice and other identity-related oppressions cannot be underestimated.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today? 
The increasingly talked about issues facing the US today is the threat to our democracy. From election deniers to attacks on voting and privacy rights, the right of all Americans to have their voices heard and respected is being challenged at every turn. Underlying this pervasive threat are persisting racism, sexism and classism, and economic deprivation, which have legitimized and upheld structural injustices for the benefit of a dwindling majority. Without addressing the underpinnings of this looming threat, which existed long before any of us were born, little will change.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over? 
Getting to work! For the first time in history, we have a real chance at dismantling the stronghold of racism. By an overwhelming majority, the NYC electorate approved racial justice proposals to promote and advance equity in government functions for those consistently marginalized by oppressive structures, policies and practices. This is a huge victory, but our work is far from done. Now we must capture in perpetuity the promise and potential of these charter revisions.

Simone Kanter is Congressman Dan Goldman’s (NY-10) press secretary, making the transition to his office after serving as communications director on Goldman’s insurgent campaign in one of the nation’s most competitive primary races of the 2022 midterms. Before the campaign, Simone was a deputy press secretary in the New York State Executive Chamber for Governor Kathy Hochul. He has worked on campaigns across the country to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, from City Council to President of the United States. Simone is a native of Park Slope, Brooklyn.