Road to June: 2021 Election Roundup, Jan. 15, 2021 - New York County Politics
Original published at: https://www.newyorkcountypolitics.com/2021/01/15/road-to-june-2021-election-roundup-jan-15-2021/
Mayoral Race
Endorsements
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer
On Jan. 8, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) was endorsed by central Brooklyn Assemblymembers Nick Perry (D-Brooklyn) and Diana Richardson (D-Brooklyn) in his run for Mayor.
“We know Scott Stringer. We know his character and his commitment to our communities. New York City is a one-of-a-kind town, and we need a one-of-a-kind leader to be our next mayor,” said Perry. ”Look at all the names that have been thrown into the mayoral race, and the candidate superbly ready and equipped to take on the job of mayor, on day one, is unquestionably Scott Stringer. He knows we need real criminal justice reform, and he’ll make that happen. With Scott Stringer as Mayor, every New Yorker will be treated equally under our laws. With an unquestionable knowledge of our city budget, he’s ready to lead the equitable recovery New York City needs after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
On Jan. 13, Mayoral Candidate Eric Adams was endorsed by more than a dozen of the city’s leaders in the African community and clergy on the steps of the Bronx Municipal Building. They cited his ability to lead New York back from a recession and the health and public safety crises that have disproportionately impacted communities of color as the reason for their backing of Adams.
“This New York City mayoral election is the most important election in the city’s recent history, due to the ongoing pandemic, difficult economic conditions, public safety concerns and the growing political ideological divide among New Yorkers,” said Sheikh Musa Drammeh. “After going through the backgrounds, qualifications, experiences and leadership skills needed to unify our city and overcome the daunting socioeconomic and health challenges it is facing, Mr. Eric Adams comes out on top among all other candidates running to be our next mayor. Special times require the special leadership skills that Mr. Eric Adams possesses.”
Announcements
On Jan. 10, Stringer released his City Climate plan, painting a “Stringer Administration” as pioneering bold new policies and furthering the Green New Deal in New York City.
“Comptroller Stringer’s visionary climate plan is exactly the kind of comprehensive strategy that New York City needs to protect our environment, build a more livable city, and ensure we can withstand the devastating effects of climate change,” said Councilmember Costa Constantinides (D-Queens), who Chairs the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection. “More than eight years after Superstorm Sandy pummeled many of our communities, it’s past time to get serious about building a sustainable future. Scott Stringer’s agenda is the right plan that matches the urgency of this moment.”
Maya Wiley
On Jan. 11, Mayoral Candidate and former Civilian Complaint Review Board Chair Maya Wiley released her New Deal New York plan, which is a vision for economic recovery in the city through a $10 Billion citywide investment. The plan includes models for climate resiliency, transforming NYCHA; modernizing physical, digital and transportation infrastructure; and designing a recovery for artists and culture workers.
Wiley also announced on Jan. 14 that she had $3 million in her deposit box with 75 percent of 7,000 different donors contributing less than $100.
Kathryn Garcia
On Jan. 13, Kathryn Garcia’s mayoral campaign announced that it will file with $300,000 raised in less than three months from a grassroots coalition of more than 1,500 donors. More than 70 percent of NYC contributors reside in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island–a strong showing of outer borough support for the campaign and the diverse coalition of Garcia supporters.
Until she announced her resignation from the Department of Sanitation in September, Kathryn served as Commissioner of Sanitation and Food Czar–distributing more than 130 million meals to New Yorkers. Garcia officially launched her campaign last month.
“With 5 major union endorsements and a grassroots coalition of support from New Yorkers, we are exactly on track to where we need to be,” said campaign manager Monika Hansen.
On Jan. 13 and 14, Mayoral candidate Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams initially announced that his campaign had approximately $6.9 million in cash-on-hand for the June mayoral primary, and then said yesterday that they were ahead with $8.6 million after funds are matched eight-to-one.
“Our campaign for the future of New York City is growing faster and faster every day–and I am so proud that we are the first to reach this critical fundraising goal,” Borough President Eric Adams said. “Every-day New Yorkers from every corner of the city are supporting the campaign because they want someone with the vision, leadership and lived experience to deliver for them and deliver on the promise of our great city. I know what it is like to live with hardship, and I will bring that blue collar mindset to City Hall to bring this city back stronger than ever, especially for those who need help the most.”
On Jan. 14, City Comptroller Scott Stringer was close behind Adams with $8.3 million after matching funds from the Campaign Finance Board while former CitiGroup exec Ray McGuire had $5 million up to 3,700 donors and without the advantage of the matching funds program.
Stringer also received another $38,503 today, Jan. 15 in public matching funds under the city’s $8-to$1 matching funds program for certain kinds of contributions.
Events
Maya Wiley to Attend The Justice Clapback: Mayoral Feedback Loop: tonight, 8 p.m. (to join, click here)
Chelsea/Hell’s Kitchen Democratic Club Mayoral Candidate Forum: Saturday, Jan. 23, 2-4 p.m. (Registration link TBA)
Eastside Democratic Club Mayoral Candidate Forum: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2-4 p.m. (Registration link TBA)
Grand Street Democrats Mayoral Forum: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m. (Registration link here)
Four Freedoms Democratic Club Mayoral Endorsement Meeting: Thursday, Feb. 18, 6:45-8:45 p.m. (Registration link here)
Comptroller Race
Endorsements
Brad Lander
On Jan. 13, Comptroller Candidate and Councilmember Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn) announced a slew of new endorsements.
The endorsements were as follows: the New York Working Families Party; U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn); State Senators Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx), Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) and Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn); Council Members Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn), Margaret Chin (D-Battery Park City, Chinatown) and Deborah Rose (D-Staten Island); labor unions CWA District 1 and UAW Region 9A; community organizations Make the Road Action, New York Communities for Change, VOCAL Action Fund, New York Progressive Action Network; and Lambda Independent Democrats.
Announcements
Lander also announced that he had raised approximately $4 million, including matching funds projected from the most recent fundraising period which closed Monday. Lander reports raising more than $163,000 from more than 2,000 donors over the last six months, including an estimated $118,000 in matchable funds, making him eligible for approximately $944,000 in additional public matching funds.
“I’m proud to have earned the support of so many New Yorkers and so grateful for NYC’s public elections financing program, which is making it possible for me to run a grassroots race accountable to the people of our city rather than corporate and Wall Street executives,” said Lander.
State Senator Brian Benjamin
State Senator Kevin Parker
Comptroller candidate and State Senator Brian Benjamin (D-Harlem, East Harlem) received $952,162 in public matching funds, adding to the $462,312 he has already raised not counting today’s filing deadline.
Comptroller candidate and State Senator Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn) reported raising $121,399 in his first filing in the primary with the Campaign Finance Board.
Events
Four Freedoms Democratic Club Manhattan BP and City Comptroller Endorsement Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 21, 6:45-8:45 p.m. (Registration link here)
Manhattan District Attorney Race
Endorsements
Lucy Lang
Yesterday, Lucy Lang announced a slew of endorsements from a suite of prosecutors from across the country. The endorsers were as follows: Raul Torrez, Scott Colom, Sarah Fair George, Lynneice Olive-Washington, Kim Gardner, Jean Peters Baker, John Choi, Glenn Funk and Beth McCann.
Events
Eastside Democratic Club Manhattan District Attorney Candidate Forum: Thursday, Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m. (Registration link here)
Four Freedoms Democratic Club Manhattan District Attorney Endorsement Meeting: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 6:45-8:45 p.m. (Registration link here)
Manhattan Borough President Race
Endorsements
Council Member Mark Levine
Yesterday, Mark Levine received an endorsement from Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR), a Brooklyn-based organization whose mission is to elect candidates with strong stances against animal cruelty.
“NYC can and must do more to protect the welfare of animals,” Levine said in a tweet. “Proud to be in this fight with the incredible activists and organizers of VFAR.”
Council Member Ben Kallos
Meanwhile, Ben Kallos received an endorsement from Rebecca Weintraub, a candidate for District Leader for 76A.
“Ben has fought to protect our environment and our neighborhoods from overdevelopment,” said Weintraub. “He is the right candidate at the right time for this position. I look forward to working with him when he is Manhattan Borough President.”
Events
Uptown Community Democrats Manhattan BP Candidate Forum: Thursday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m. (Registration link here)
Four Freedoms Democratic Club Manhattan BP and City Comptroller Endorsement Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 21, 6:45-8:45 p.m. (Registration link here)
City Council Races
Endorsements
District 1
Gigi Li
Last week, Gigi Li was the biggest winner among the City Council District 1 candidates. On Jan. 7, she announced endorsements from Councilmembers Helen Rosenthal (D-Central Park, Lincoln Square), Diana Ayala (D-El Barrio, Mott Haven) and Deborah Rose (D-Staten Island), as well as from the incumbent Margaret Chin (D-Battery Park City, Chinatown).
“I’m extremely honored and grateful to have the support of these four current council members,” Li said in a tweet. “These trailblazing public servants share our vision of building an inclusive movement that works for all New Yorkers, and they know that our people-powered campaign can get the job done.”
Jenny Lam-Low
Christopher Marte
But Li wasn’t the only one in the District 1 race to receive a high-profile endorsement. The following day, Jenny Low received an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-LES, Brooklyn, Queens). Prior to that, she had received endorsements from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, one of the City’s most prominent LGBTQ+ political clubs, as well as District Leader Daisy Paez.
On Jan. 12, the Freelancers Union, which represents millions of independent workers across the nation, officially endorsed five City Council candidates, with Christopher Marte among them.
District 3
Erik Bottcher
On Jan. 10, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, one of the City’s most prominent LGBTQ+ political clubs, announced their endorsements for City Council. One of those endorsements was for Erik Bottcher, who was also one of the five City Council candidates endorsed by the Freelancers Union.
“Proud to have the endorsement of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, with 78% of the vote!” Bottcher said in a tweet. “The Jim Owles club calls for an end to all wars, increased AIDS funding, universal health care, expansion of reproductive rights, economic justice, abolition of the death penalty & more.”
District 5
Julie Menin
Christopher Sosa
Billy Freeland
Julie Menin was the third candidate included in the Freelancers Union’s bundle of endorsements. She also recently received an endorsement from Teamsters Local 831, a union that represents thousands of New York sanitation workers.
Meanwhile, Chris Sosa and Billy Freeland both received endorsements from former Congressional candidate Lauren Ashcraft.
District 6
Sara Lind
On Jan. 9, former Council candidate Seth Rosen announced his endorsement for Sara Lind for Council District 6.
“Sarah is my choice to represent our community and she is the smart, innovative, strategic leader we need on the Council,” Rosen said in a tweet. “Plz make a contribution today!”
District 7
Shaun Abreu
On Jan. 10, Shaun Abreu announced that he received two high-profile endorsements. The first was from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club.
“Since 2004, this club has been at the forefront in fighting for human rights, dignity, and freedom for all people,” said Abreu. “As an ally of the LGBTQ community on the City Council, I will advocate for comprehensive healthcare and strong enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, as well as more job opportunities for the trans community.”
The other was from U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx), the first gay Afro-Latino man elected to Congress in the United States.
Announcements
This month, three City Council candidates in Manhattan qualified for matching funds from the NYCCFB. The candidates in question were District 5 candidate Billy Freeland, who received $950; District 7 candidate Maria Ordonez, who received $102,547; and District 9 candidate Kristin Richardson Jordan, who received $160,444.
Events
Rebecca LaMorte “Rebecca for New York” Community Celebration: Sunday, Jan. 17, 1 p.m. at Carl Schurz Park, 88th Street and East End Avenue
Parent Policy Forum, Hosted by Tricia Shimamura: Thursday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. (Registration link here)
Uptown Community Democrats City Council District 7 Candidate Forum: Thursday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m. (Registration link here)