Power Players in the 2022 Elections

Andy Pallotta was elected president of New York State United Teachers in April 2017. A former New York City elementary school teacher, Pallotta oversees the union’s political, legislative, and organizing efforts, which have secured record levels of state school aid, beaten back tax credit and voucher schemes, secured legal protections to preserve public employees’ rights to organize, and helped elect pro-public education candidates — including NYSUT members themselves — to positions on their local school boards, in Albany and beyond.

In 2022, Spencer Lee, Joe Reubens, and Tess McRae worked with 16 victorious State Senate campaigns across New York to ensure that Democrats held the supermajority – even as candidates for other offices in overlapping districts faltered. They produced smart strategies including polling, direct mail, digital advertising, and television commercials that helped these candidates gain a competitive edge in district after district, defying the red wave that swamped the Empire State.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today? 
The levees largely held against the rising tide of extremism in the 2022 elections, but the threat hasn’t subsided. Core American values like democracy, civil rights, and acceptance of people with different beliefs and backgrounds are attacked by powerful and influential people on a daily basis. This conflict is not confined to the political arena–it saturates social media, entertainment, school board meetings, and more. Our values as a society will impact how the United States handles many issues going forward.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over? 
The next elections! Democracy marches on, and that’s especially true in New York, where we have primary and general elections every year. Helping good candidates win and become valuable public servants is what this job is all about.

Alexis Grenell and Evan Thies are the co-founders of Pythia Public, where they lead innovative campaigns for worker’s rights, gender equality, climate policy, infrastructure and transportation, and small “d” democracy. With more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of policy, politics, and press, Evan and Alexis design strategies to build consensus and drive meaningful change. Some of their notable political campaigns include Mayor Eric Adams, Comptroller Brad Lander, and Zephyr Teachout’s race for Attorney General.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics? 
We wanted to make the world better for more people.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Climate, democracy, and human and civil rights.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
We’ve got a lot going on this legislative session in Albany, as well as New York City policy goals ahead. Politics doesn’t take a break.

In 2020, Evan Rantzaklis was integral in crafting the strategy that resulted in the Senate’s first super-majority in modern history. Evan also represented the first back-to-back Democratic majority in the New York State Senate since 1936. He served as both executive director and finance director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, where he set multiple committee fundraising records and helped elect the Democrats to the majority in 2018. During the 2022 elections, Evan advised the Carpenters Fund for Growth, one of the largest independent expenditure committees of the cycle.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
My father inspired me to get into politics. He always followed what was going on closely, from national politics down to local government matters, and was well-read on the issues. For as long as I can remember, he engaged me in conversations about the daily news and his opinions on what was happening.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
There are numerous issues of importance facing our country today. Climate change, economic inequality, and immigration reform are a few at the top of the list.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
Legislative session beginning and everything that comes with it.

Born in the Dominican Republic to working-class parents, Samuel Ravelo moved permanently to the U.S., joining the Navy after graduating from Walton High School in the Bronx. Ravelo then enrolled at Bronx Community College, going on to join the New York City Police Department and retiring 25 years later as a lieutenant. Ravelo founded the nonprofit Dominican Veterans of America to aid veterans and their families and was a candidate for Bronx Borough President in 2021. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
While serving in the NYPD, I saw the impact the Bail Reform law has had on our community, in which repeat offenders continue to prey on the most vulnerable. I saw the devastating impact of the opioid crisis along with the effects of disastrous housing policies for working-class New Yorkers. These were my motivations for running for elected office.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Public safety and inflation will be the most important issues facing Americans in 2023. As violent crime rises in many American cities, the angst and fear of many citizens increases. Many Americans fear for their safety. We also see that after multiple bailouts and stimuli have caught up, we have to buckle up for the upcoming economic downturn. 

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
I founded the Dominican Veterans of America to serve veterans in need. Whether a veteran is facing food insecurity or homelessness, our organization wants to work within the framework of the Veterans Administration to find solutions for our veterans.

With decades of experience winning campaigns for candidates, unions, and progressive advocacy organizations, Red Horse Strategies brings cutting-edge ideas to every campaign—from planning to execution. Red Horse Strategies helped win races this cycle in 27 states, delivering independent expenditure victories with their partners in the labor and advocacy community, helping bolster New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, a half-dozen members of Congress, and almost 100 state legislators.

Born in Brooklyn, Lucretia Regina-Potter attended Bishop Kearney High School and Fordham University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree. Lucretia is a design consultant at Bari Tile and Stone in Brooklyn and a licensed real estate agent. She is also the republican district leader of the 46th Assembly District, the president of the Fiorello LaGuardia Republican Organization, and a member of the executive committee of the Kings County Republican Party. The daughter of Italian immigrants and a Brooklyn native, Lucretia is married and has two children.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
As the manager of a small business, I noticed that entrepreneurs had poor representation in local government. I became more active in community activities and organizations as the business expanded, which made me realize that I needed to step up and take a stand to represent the hard working people in my neighborhood. I joined the Fiorello LaGuardia Republican Organization, became more involved, and eventually became their selected candidate for the New York State Assembly.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
The failing economy with high energy prices and rising interest rates are having extremely detrimental effects on all of us. In addition, the rise in crime and criminal activity are creating safety issues for our families nationwide. Our children need higher education standards to help them achieve success and reach their full potential. We need strong leadership and determination on the local level to get us through these tough and troubling times.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
Elections are never really over, they just take a short hiatus. I am looking forward to spending time with my family and friends, especially preparing and enjoying dinners with them this holiday season. I am very excited for the new year and the new adventures that await. I am the incoming Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny, and I know that we will be very busy working for our community.

Mike Rendino has spent his life serving New York. Born and raised in the Bronx, Mike had a distinguished career in the New York City Fire Department before retiring due to health complications from his service at Ground Zero. While his injuries ended his career with the fire department, Mike never gave up fighting for a better city, joining a local community board and becoming chair of the Economic Development Committee. He became chair of the Bronx Republican Party in 2016 and today also serves as the chair of the 161 Street Business Improvement District.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
After retiring from the FDNY due to my injuries sustained while working at Ground Zero, I bought into a business yet still seem unfulfilled. Being a firefighter wasn’t just a job, it was a way of life. Since I was no longer physically able to help people I still wanted to serve and I felt being in politics was a way to help my community.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
The number one issue facing our country today is unity. As a society, we need to be able to separate our political differences and still come together as Americans for the good of our country and each other.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
Now that the elections are over, the thing I’m most looking forward to is preparing for the next cycle and achieving the number one goal that I established when I became chairman, which is to have a Republican elected official in the Bronx. It would be the first time we saw a Republican elected in our borough since Guy Velella, and I am passionate about achieving this goal within my tenure as chair.

As a volunteer firefighter for 30 years, attorney, county legislator, and public safety advocate, Steve Rhoads has a proven track record of protecting the safety and wallets of Long Island families and delivering real results for his constituents. Steve will continue his advocacy for middle-class families as a New York State Senator. Steve is a graduate of Hofstra Law School and SUNY Albany. He is also the director of the Youth Ministry Program at St. Pius X Parish and is an active member of many local organizations in his community.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
Working in government has given me the opportunity to be part of something so much larger than myself. I have always felt that government should work for the people, and I have worked tirelessly to ensure the residents across my district have a representative they can count on. For the last seven years, I have been a County Legislator, and I am excited for the opportunity to represent Nassau County as a Senator in 2023.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Public safety and inflation are two of the most important issues facing the United States—especially Long Island. To that end, my priorities as Senator will be fighting to repeal dangerous cashless bail laws, prioritizing public safety, and standing with law enforcement to ensure they have the resources necessary to fight crime and keep us safe. I will also work to stop the tax on commuters, expand the STAR program, and protect the property tax cap.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
I am eager to put politics aside and deliver results for the people of the fifth Senate district. Safe streets, good schools, protecting our suburban quality of life, and preserving opportunities for our children are important to all Long Islanders. The time for politics has ended and now it’s time to work together to build a better, safer, and more prosperous New York for ourselves and our families.

André M. Richardson is the principal of consulting firm Paragon Strategies. As a political practitioner, André has helped shape the New York political landscape by serving as senior advisor and campaign manager to some of the most influential politicians and organizations in the state. For a decade, he has been an advisor to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the newly elected House minority leader, and to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Council Member Crystal Hudson, and others.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
To be in service to others by influencing policy, advocating for communities of color, and providing political education around civic participation.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Advocating for women’s reproductive rights, voting rights, aggressive criminal justice reform, fighting the gun violence epidemic, and increasing youth participation in the voting process.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
Fighting to reclaim the majority in the House, holding the Senate, and reelecting Joe Biden as President.