Hi, hello. Are you angry that City Council failed #DefundNYPD? Me too. But! I have good news. 35 out of 51 Members are term limited at end of next year. Let me introduce you to some progressives of color running for their seats, who could really use your support (thread):
First a note: there will be more to come! It’s early days, & some haven’t setup/announced campaigns yet. But all the below have active donation links & there is a big fundraising deadline July 11. Your $ could help them qualify for 8-1 matching funds from the City! That’s big.
Brandon West @westforcouncil: District 39/BK (now Brad Lander). Brandon is a policy wonk who deeply understands the budget, currently works on national voting rights issues, and has been heavily involved in #DefundNYPD and #OccupyCityHall. westforcouncil.com
Jennifer Gutierrez: District 34/BK-QNS (now Antonio Reynoso). My girl JG has been DOING THE WORK in District 34 for years, which she approaches with deep empathy for her constituents. nycvotes.org/campaigns/jenn…
Pierina Sanchez @PiSanchezNYC: District 14/BX (now Fernando Cabrera). Pierina is a fellow planner who believes in reform and knows how to get things done. She JUST launched her campaign and already has a strong policy platform. pierinasanchez.nyc
Crystal Hudson @crystalrhudson: District 35/BK (now Laurie Cumbo). Crystal is a natural leader. Example: when COVID hit, she sprang into action & formed the Prospect Heights Mutual Aid Network. nycvotes.org/campaigns/crys…
Amanda Farias @AmandaFariasNYC: District 18/BX (now noted homophobe/Trump supporter/likely Congressional race loser Ruben Diaz, Sr.) She gave him a run for his money last time around and 2021 is gonna be her year! Check out her endorsements! amandafarias.nyc
Shekar Krishnan @shek_krishnan: District 25/QNS (now Danny Dromm). Shekar is a tenant lawyer whose work has kept many people in their homes in BK, & is also really active in his home nabe Jackson Heights. nycvotes.org/campaigns/shek…
Wilfredo Florentino @wilfredobklyn: District 42/BK (Now Inez Barron). Currently works at NAACP, & has a long history in BK politics & advocacy. Recently started a coalition of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ candidates to support each other as they run. wilfredoflorentino.com
For District 38/BK (now Carlos Menchaca), 2 good options: organizers/activists Whitney Hu @whitney_hu hu2021.com & Rodrigo Camarena @Rodrigo4NYC rodrigo4nyc.com. Luckily, Ranked Choice Voting means you can like more than one candidate!
Juan Ardila: District 30/QNS (now Bob Holden): Juan is the only one on this list taking on an incumbent, Republican Bob Holden, who is eligible for one more term. Holden is categorically terrible and this district deserves better. juanforthepeople.com
Ok, who did I miss?
Adding here for some clarity: All but one of the CMs in districts mentioned above have to leave Council at end of 2021 due to term limits. 35 of the 51 total seats will be open! Let's replace all the folks who have to leave with good new people!
Also! While you're all here! I've been helping out @em4assembly with her State Assembly campaign, which is now down to the counting of absentee ballots! We need to make sure they #CountEveryVote! She could really use your support for the legal fees: secure.actblue.com/donate/emilyle…
Just here to say thank you to everyone who has donated! I've heard from a few folks that they got some significant donations and new followers. Your support makes a huge difference, thank you!!!
Also, seeing a lot of retweets that say things like "vote them out" so just want to be super clear here, some of the current CMs listed above voted against the budget and are great! Like Reynoso, Lander, and Menchaca. They still have to leave Council because of term limits!
