Press Release: Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Announces Additional Endorsements in 2022 State Races
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allen Roskoff - 917-553-7180, aroskoff@mac.com
NEW YORK - The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, New York’s city-wide, progressive LGBTQ Democratic club, announced today a second round of endorsements in the 2022 New York State legislature races. The club endorsed six incumbents, including three members of the New York State Senate and three State Assembly Members, and three challengers.
Club President Allen Roskoff, co-author of the nation’s first gay rights bill, stated, “We endorsed six legislators who deserve another term so New Yorkers can continue to benefit from their experience and effectiveness. We also selected three challengers who we are confident will bring new visions and energy to the state legislature.”
Among the endorsed candidates were the rising progressive star, State Senator Julia Salazar, and Assembly Member Latrice Walker, a strong leader in the effort to enact bail and other criminal justice reforms. The challengers receiving the club’s nod included Samy Nemir Olivares, a District Leader in Brooklyn, who would bring a needed, queer perspective to the State Assembly, and Ryder Kessler, a gay, non-profit leader and community activist.
All candidates endorsed at the meeting either agreed to or already sponsor Elder Parole and Fair and Timely Release legislation. They also support removing Edward I. Koch’s name from the 59th Street Bridge. The club asks all candidates to complete a questionnaire which are available at https://jimowles.org/questionnaires.
Roskoff emphatically stated, “Our club does not believe in rubberstamping incumbents. We believe in retaining those who consistently deliver meaningful results, and replacing those who have become complacent with challengers who are better choices to lead their districts into the future.”
The following candidates received the club’s endorsement at the recent meeting:
From left to right, candidates’ names are listed below.
Julia Salazar – Senate District 18 - Brooklyn
Robert Jackson – Senate District 33 - Manhattan
Luis Sepulveda - Senate District 34 - Bronx
Alicia Hyndman – Assembly District 29 - Queens
Samy Nemir Olivares - Assembly District 54 - Brooklyn
Latrice Walker – Assembly District 55 - Brooklyn
Ryder Kessler – Assembly District 66 - Manhattan
Jessica Altagracia Woolford – Assembly District 81 - Bronx
Kenny Burgos - Assembly District 85 - Bronx
The club made the following endorsements at its January 15, 2022 meeting:
Mike Gianaris - Senate District 12 - Queens
Andrew Gounardes - Senate District 22 - Brooklyn
Brad Hoylman - Senate District 30 - Manhattan
Gustavo Rivera - Senate District 35 - Bronx
Jose Serrano - Senate District 31 - Manhattan
Robert Carroll - Assembly District 44 - Brooklyn
Catalina Cruz - Assembly District 39 - Queens
Emily Gallagher - Assembly District 50 - Brooklyn
Rebecca Seawright - Assembly District 76 - Manhattan
Jo Anne Simon - Assembly District 52 - Brooklyn
The club will continue to make endorsements for other seats in the state legislature, as well as statewide races, at upcoming meetings.