Press Release: Jim Owles Club Makes Second Round of Endorsements in Local, State and Federal Races

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allen Roskoff, President Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club 
aroskoff@mac.com, 917-553-7180

NEW YORK, NY — Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club announced its second round of endorsements, adding to its slate of preferred candidates for key state Senate, Assembly and Congressional races ahead of New York’s federal primary on June 23. 

Jim Owles club endorsed several incumbents that it called “among the most important leaders moving forward the progressive agenda in Albany.” In the Assembly, this includes two champions of reform: Joe Lentol of Brooklyn’s 50th Assembly District, who as chair of the Codes Committee played a crucial role in criminal justice reform, including Jim Owles’ signature issues of bail reform and compassionate parole of elderly inmates; and Aravella Simotas of Queens’ 36th Assembly District, who has led on women’s issues and the fight against sexual harassment, as well as sponsoring legislation to wipe the slate clean for youthful offenders. 

In the state Senate, the club endorsed Gustavo Rivera for reelection in the 33rd State Senate District in the Bronx. Rivera, as head of the Senate Health Committee, will continue to play an important role in protecting Medicaid and community-based healthcare from spending cuts threatened by the Governor’s office.

The Club also endorsed longtime progressive leader Nydia Velazquez for her re-election in the 7th Congressional District. “At a time when the President is making threatening moves against women’s rights, immigrants, the LGBTQ community and Puerto Rico, Nydia’s long-term championship and expertise on these issues is desperately needed in the House,” the club said.

Jim Owles built on its reputation for backing successful insurgents against the status quo in Albany by giving its approval to Jessica Ramos for a second term in the 13th State Senate District. The club also endorsed a respected progressive community leader, Harvey Epstein, in his bid for reelection in the East Village’s 74th Assembly District. 

For the open seat soon to be vacated by retiring longtime State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, the club endorsed Jason Salmon. "Given his progressive legislative agenda and impressive knowledge of the State legislative system, we feel Jason Salmon will be for Brooklyn, as Jessica Ramos is for Queens, an instantly effective force for important progressive priorities,” the club said. 

Additionally, Jim Owles endorsed two progressive challengers to long-term incumbents. In Brooklyn’s 37th Assembly District, the club endorsed community activist Mary Jobaida, and in the 51st Assembly District, the club endorsed Genesis Aquino. Both will bring substantial energy to protecting undocumented residents and tenants—two important areas where increased state involvement is crucial in our defense against the racist Trump Administration’s war on immigrants.

In announcing the latest slate of endorsements, Jim Owles club president Allen Roskoff said: “We believe this slate of candidates, as well as the progressive champions we endorsed last month, will be allies in Bernie Sanders’ revolution to ensure healthcare for all, end the rule of billionaire real estate tycoons, and abolish our incarceration industrial complex, which for too long has oppressed the working class and people of color.” 

In addition to being the first LGBTQ political club to endorse the history making candidacy of Bernie Sanders, Jim Owles previously endorsed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in her bid against an Trump funded campaign to defeat her, as well as Jerry Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, Grace Meng, Adriano Espaillat, Thomas Suozzi, and the insurgent Adem Bundeddeko in his repeat bid to unseat Yvette Clark. 

In state Senate and Assembly races, the club previously endorsed Julia Salazar, Brad Hoylman, Liz Krueger, Jose M. Serrano, Robert Jackson, Luis Sepulveda, Catalina Cruz and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, who is challenging Michael Den Dekker in Queens’ 34th Assembly District. The club also endorsed Samy Nemir Olivares for District Leader in the 53rd Assembly District in Brooklyn.

Ahead of a special election next month, Jim Owles endorsed Costa Constantinides for Queens Borough President. 

Further endorsements will be made in the month of March. 

The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, named for the legendary gay rights pioneer Jim Owles, was founded in 2004 as a citywide political activist club with a mission to secure human rights, dignity, and freedom for all people. As a multi-issue, progressive city-wide Democratic club, we believe that the LGBTQ community needs to be in the forefront of a progressive coalition to lead the way for economic justice, fighting racism on all fronts, human rights for all marginalized communities, expansion of reproductive rights, universal health care and an end to mass incarceration.

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