Power Players in the 2022 Elections

Musa Moore has been one of the top campaign managers and consultants in New York for the past two decades. In 2022, Musa helped elect Senator and District Leader Kevin Parker, Assembly Member Nikki Lucas, Supreme Court Judges Patria Frias-Colon, Cenceria Edwards, and Susan Quirk, and Civil Court Judges Sherveal Mimes, Devin Robinson, Pat Hayes Torres, and Carmen Pacheco. Some of Musa’s other clients include Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, Surrogate Court Judges Rosemarie Montalbano, Brandon Saul, Harriet Thompson, and Nora Anderson, and Supreme Court Judges Dena Douglas, Bernie Graham, and Judge Rupert Barry among others. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics? Born and raised in Brooklyn, I was able to experience life from many different perspectives. I understood that everything is connected, and politics is the foundation. After a successful career in the music industry, I decided to dedicate my time to politics. Prior to electing great candidates, I served as the director of housing and social services with the New York State Senate, as Brooklyn District leader, as a political lobbyist for the New York State Public Employees Federation, and as Brooklyn Community Board chair.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler represents New York’s 10th Congressional District, one of the most dynamic and diverse districts in the country. Rep. Nadler began his career in public service in 1976 in the New York State Assembly. Representing the Upper West Side, he served as a Democratic Assemblyman for 16 years and played a significant role in shaping New York State law concerning child support enforcement and domestic abuse, as well as making major contributions to housing, transportation, and consumer protection policy in the state.  In 1992, Rep. Nadler was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election and has served in Congress ever since. On November 8th, Rep. Nadler was elected to represent New York’s 12th Congressional district.

Bill Neidhardt is a founding partner of the campaign consulting firm Left Flank Strategies and is a principal of The Baseline Agency, a direct mail firm. In addition to advising multiple congressional and local races in New York and across the country, Neidhardt has previously served as press secretary in New York City Hall, Iowa deputy state director, traveling press secretary for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, and press secretary for U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office and re-election campaign.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
The next elections! Democrats did better than many expected in the midterms because we campaigned on the economy and fundamental rights. But far too many Democrats, especially in New York, lost where conservatives leaned on corporate dark money to push their extreme agenda. We can’t waste a moment in taking back the House majority, defending the Senate, and pushing New York to deliver on the progressive economic policies that voters demand.

In June 2022, Lucas Sanchez and Olivia Leirer became co-executive directors of New York Communities for Change, one of the largest community organizations in New York State. Jonathan Westin stepped down after 10 years as executive director. Over the past decade, the trio has worked on some of the most high-profile campaigns in New York including the Fight for $15 and a groundbreaking anti-segregation lawsuit in Garden City.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
We got into politics because we believe that everything is political and that everyday people having a voice in the political process is the only way to ensure our government works for all of us. Our work doesn’t just happen in the election season, our members are out in their neighborhoods year-round holding their elected officials accountable for the things they promised on the campaign trail and organizing for the safe and healthy communities they deserve.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
We’re already seeing the impact of the climate crisis. The science is clear that if we don’t take dramatic action in the next 7 years the damage to our climate will be irreparable and catastrophic. NYCC has already helped win NYC’s Green New Deal (Local Law 97) and the NYC Gas Ban, some of the world’s strongest municipal climate legislation. Leirer and Sánchez will continue to fight to pass the statewide All Electric Buildings Act, while Westin organizes against fossil fuels nationally, with the newly launched Climate Defenders.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
We’re looking forward to winning real victories that concretely improve the lives of our members. Electoral wins only matter if they translate to political action, making communities safer and healthier. We can do this by investing in our communities through programs like the Housing Access Voucher Program and legislation like Good Cause Eviction, while at the same time passing common sense reforms to our Criminal Justice system like Fair and Timely Parole.

The New York State Democratic Committee’s history is full of accomplishments centered on advancing the livelihoods of all New Yorkers – through expanding workers’ rights, instituting reforms for social progress, and ensuring economic enfranchisement for all. Throughout its history members of the New York State Democratic Committee fought, and continue to fight, to make New York a more equitable, progressive, and safe place to live. In the 2022 election democratic candidates won every statewide election including Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, and U.S Senator and maintained super majorities in the Assembly and State Senate.

Michael D. Nieves is president and CEO of HITN, one of the first non-profit Spanish language television networks in the U.S. During his first two years at the helm (2015-17), HITN has added over 10 million new Latino households to its viewing audience and secured a partnership with Sprint Communications that will support HITN’s mission for decades to come. For over 25 years, Nieves has helped build the political landscape in New York by serving as strategic and policy advisor and consultant to numerous elected officials and campaigns across New York City and New York State. He has also served as senior advisor to the Majority Leader of the New York City Council; as deputy chief of staff to the Council Speaker; as director of state and federal affairs for the Council; and deputy director of council services.

Sochie Nnaemeka currently serves as state director of New York’s Working Family Party. In this role Sochie works to grow the Working Families Party and fight for a New York that works for the many. Sochie has spent her career building power for working people as a community organizer and national leader. Prior to her role with the New York Working Families Party, Sochie served as director of emerging organizing and leadership at the Center for Popular Democracy

Michael Novakhov is the newly elected Assembly Member for the 45th District in Brooklyn. Standing on his strong civic position, desire for change, and the support of his base of radio listeners and associates, Michael stepped up to run for the New York State Assembly to not just inspire reform but to make real, productive change for the community he has proudly called home for more than 20 years.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
I never really saw myself as a politician. Even now, I see myself as someone who stepped up to run to help better my community. I’ve lived in Assembly District 45 for over 20 years and have been witness to the changes and needs of our community. A desire to help and advance the success of our district, city, and state is at the core of why I felt a duty to run this cycle.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Divisiveness is one of the great plagues our Country currently faces. Across the board, we’ve seen partisanship ostracize and divide our nation. Many have attributed this to the status quo of “politics,” but January 6th was the climactic wakeup call that our nation is struggling. My commitment is to reach across the aisle and be open to new ideas. Lincoln put it best, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We must find unity. If not for the sake of our nation, then for the constituents we swore to represent.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
I am excited to get to work!! I could not be more enthusiastic to begin the Legislative Session.  Advocating for my community, honoring my commitment to my district, and working with my colleagues to help improve and advance our district, city, and state are the reasons I ran for office, and I am thrilled to start and let the real work of legislating begin.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was elected to serve New York’s 14th Congressional district in 2019 after she defeated 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley and Republican Anthony Pappas. She is the youngest woman ever elected to U.S. Congress and is known for her progressive platform, which includes advocating for Medicare for All, tuition-free public colleges, and a Green New Deal. Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez is a dedicated public servant and activist fighting for social, racial, and economic justice for all.

Jessica Ottney Mahar is The Nature Conservancy’s New York policy and strategy director. She has more than two decades of environmental policy experience, including successfully advocating for the enactment of dozens of laws and regulations and billions in funding to conserve New York’s environment and address global warming. Most recently, Jessica led the Vote Yes for Clean Water and Jobs campaign to pass the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act, the largest in New York history.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
As a kid, I was concerned by suburban sprawl swallowing up local farms. Through my college studies in political science and an internship in the State Assembly, I realized policy is an effective tool for changing systems, enabling conservation, and addressing issues like the pollution of our air and water. I was thrilled to find a career that allowed me to dedicate time to issues I care about through interesting and challenging work.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
In my opinion, the most important issue facing our nation – and our world – is climate change. Our kids and grandkids are depending on us to chart a course where they can live safe and prosperous lives. Right now, we’re not on track to do that, and as a mom, that keeps me up at night. The U.S. government is deeply divided, preventing the pace of progress and effective collaboration with other nations we need. We’ve got to come together on climate solutions, our lives depend on it.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
I’m thrilled that the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act passed in November, and I’m grateful to New Yorkers for coming out in such strong support for the measure, which will protect clean water and clean air while creating family sustaining jobs throughout the state. Now I’m looking forward to seeing it “come to life” through projects that will upgrade infrastructure, protect nature, and make communities better places to live.