National Organization for Women – New York (NOW-NY)

NOW-NY ENDORSES 22 PRO-WOMEN’S RIGHTS CANDIDATES AND CALLS OUT FIVE “NOT NOW, NOT EVER” CANDIDATES

 State Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., Council Mem. Fernando Cabrera, Hiram Monserrate, Allan Jennings, and Thomas Lopez-Pierre Do Not Deserve “Democrat” Title

NEW YORK, NY – The National Organization for Women – New York (NOW-NY) announced a slate of endorsements for 21 City Council races in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens and Public Advocate today. NOW-NY endorsed candidates who champion core issues such as reproductive rights, fighting income inequality, and ending violence and discrimination against women and girls.

In addition to its endorsements, NOW-NY also released their “Not Now, Not Ever” list, naming five candidates that should never be allowed to represent the people of New York City based on their records of bigotry, homophobia, or aggression towards women. State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is a staunch opponent of reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights; Hiram Monserrate was convicted for slashing his girlfriend’s face and later served time in jail for stealing public funds; Allan Jennings was censured by the New York City Council after five colleagues claimed sexual harassment; Thomas Lopez- Pierre has a history of anti-Semitic statements and violated an order of protection; and Councilmember Fernando Cabrera praised Ugandan leaders after they passed laws criminalizing homosexuality.

“NOW-NY stands by 21 candidates for New York City Council who championed healthcare access, workplace rights, and economic equality and exemplified progressive values,” said Sonia Ossorio, president of the National Organization for Women – New York. “In contrast, those on our ‘Not Now, Not Ever’ list don’t deserve the privilege of representing the people of our city. We will not tolerate candidates with records reflective of the bigotry and misogyny of the Trump White House. This is how we fight back locally—New Yorkers must make change at the ballot box, holding our elected officials accountable, while bolstering and empowering true leaders to continue to lead.” 

New York City Public Advocate: Letitia James
As a lawyer, legislator, and tenacious community activist and women’s rights advocate, Tish James’ exceptional track record makes her the best person for this job hands down. She has spearheaded reforms for women in the workplace, including unpaid child care, paid family leave, and fair compensation, and she has spoken out to protect the rights of New York’s most marginalized communities. Public Advocate James never fails to speak truth to power, and we know she will continue to be an exemplary leader for resistance and change and a strong role model for women and girls across New York City.

District 1: Margaret Chin
Manhattan: Battery Park City, Chinatown, Financial District, Lower East Side, NoHo, SoHo, South Street Seaport, South Village, TriBeCa, Washington Square

Margaret Chin has never wavered in her stances on critical issues like access to reproductive healthcare, paid sick leave, and equal pay. She has made tremendous progress towards addressing domestic violence in her community, and her vigorous advocacy work on behalf of child care workers has had an enduring impact on the lives of New York City women.

District 2: Carlina Rivera
Manhattan: Lower East Side, East Village, Gramercy Park, Rosehill, Kips Bay, Southern Murray Hill

Carlina Rivera’s proven integrity and deep respect for women’s rights make her the best choice for voters in District 2. From preventing sexual harassment and violence against women to promoting reproductive rights and sex education in our schools, she will be a strong advocate for women’s rights in the City Council.

District 3: Corey Johnson
Manhattan: Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Greenwich Village, West SoHo, Hudson Square, Times Square, Garment District, Flatiron, Upper West Side

Corey Johnson has been a leading ally for women in the City Council, supporting legislation that demands stronger transparency laws for clinics that mislead women trying to access reproductive health services; making it easier for transgender individuals to change their gender on official documents; and challenging domestic violence.

District 4: Vanessa Aronson
Manhattan: Upper East Side, Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, Central Park South, Midtown East, Times Square, Waterside Plaza, Tudor City, Turtle Bay, Murray Hill

Vanessa Aronson aims to be a strong advocate for accessible healthcare and the advancement of reproductive justice across the five boroughs. She has demonstrated a commitment to ending violence against women and has proven her dedication to empowering girls in STEM, as a middle-school math and science teacher.

District 5: Ben Kallos
Manhattan: Upper East Side’s Yorkville, Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, Roosevelt Island, Midtown East, Sutton Place, El Barrio

Ben Kallos has been a strong leader for women – from funding sexual health programs to encouraging the establishment of safe spaces for LGBTQ students in schools. Councilmember Kallos is a valued member of the Committee on Women’s Issues where he puts the priorities of women and girls at the top of the agenda.

District 6: Helen Rosenthal
Manhattan: Upper West Side, Central Park, Lincoln Square, Clinton

Helen Rosenthal has always spoken out on the issues important to women across New York. Whether it’s increasing access to reproductive and family planning services for women, helping single mothers find jobs, or pushing to expand mentoring services that re-integrate recently incarcerated women into society, Helen has worked tirelessly to improve life for women and families throughout New York.

District 7: Mark Levine
Manhattan: Manhattan Valley, Manhattanville, Morningside Heights, Hamilton Heights

As a steadfast supporter of a women’s equality agenda, Mark Levine has a proven track record on obtaining economic justice for women.  As a Councilmember who has sponsored legislation to end the gender wage gap and increase programmatic support of minority and women owned businesses, it’s clear he will continue to be a champion for NYC women and families.

District 8: Diana Ayala
Manhattan/Bronx: El Barrio/East Harlem, Mott Haven, Highbridge, Concourse, Longwood, Port Morris

Diana Ayala fought for the communities of East Harlem and the South Bronx for over 20 years. Her experience as a struggling single mother and her in-depth knowledge of service providers, institutions, and leaders in her district gives her a unique and substantive understanding of the challenges that women and families are facing.

District 13: Marjorie Velazquez
Bronx: Allerton, City Island, Country Club, Edgewater Park, Ferry Point, Locust Point, Morris Park, Pelham Bay, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Schuylerville, Silver Beach, Spencer Estates, Throggs Neck, Van Nest, Waterbury LaSalle, Westchester Square, Zerega

Marjorie Velazquez will serve as a fierce advocate for pay equity and will make the women and girls of this city a top priority. She has pledged to work tirelessly to strengthen paid family leave laws, so women won’t have to choose between their careers and their families.



District 14: Randy Abreu
Bronx: Morris Heights, University Heights, Fordham, Kingsbridge

Randy Abreu’s principled and deep respect for women’s rights make him the best choice for voters in the Bronx’s 14th district. As a lawyer in the Obama administration, Mr. Abreu defended access to affordable quality healthcare at Planned Parenthood clinics in the face of extremists. A self-proclaimed feminist, he is committed to ending discrimination and advancing reproductive justice.

District 16: Vanessa Gibson
Bronx: Claremont, Concourse, Concourse Village, Highbridge, Morris Heights, Mount Eden, Morrisania

Vanessa Gibson has an accomplished track record protecting the rights of women and families in the Bronx. She has endorsed legislation to halt job discrimination against those who have a criminal record, encouraged the financial support and expansion of minority and women owned businesses, and promoted equal pay legislation.

District 18: Amanda Farias
Bronx: Soundview, Castle Hill, Parkchester, Clason Point, Harding Park

Amanda Farias is a tireless advocate for women and girls. Having worked alongside women in the City Council, Amanda recognizes the power of bringing female leadership to the table. She managed the Women’s Caucus of City Council, organized rallies on equal pay for women, paid leave, and constructed a budget that prioritizes community initiatives for mothers and young girls. We are certain Amanda is the best candidate in the running for District 18.

District 20: Alison Tan
Queens: Downtown Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Murray Hill

A proven leader on her local community board, Alison Tan is determined to do better for Queens’ women and families. Ms. Tan’s priorities are clear: improving quality of life for her constituents, fixing our public education system, and protecting women’s healthcare. Unlike her opposition in this race, she has made a steadfast commitment to ensuring that no woman is denied safe access to reproductive healthcare.

District 21: Francisco Moya
Queens: Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, LeFrak City, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, LaGuardia Airport

Current Assemblymember Francisco Moya is the clear choice for City Council in District 21. The community deserves a candidate that has earned the public’s trust and has the record to prove it, and Moya has a strong and undeniable track record of supporting the issues that matter to women. We can put our trust in him.

 

District 26: Jimmy Van Bramer
Queens: Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Astoria, Dutch Kills

Jimmy Van Bramer is a pro-choice stalwart who has defended the rights of women throughout his career in the City Council. He led the charge to open the first Planned Parenthood health center in Queens. He also sponsored legislation to track and assess maternal mortality rates across the five boroughs. It’s clear he will continue to fight for women and underrepresented voices in our city.

District 29: Karen Koslowitz
Queens: Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill

Fighting against discrimination has been a cornerstone of Karen Koslowitz’s career in public service. Councilmember Koslowitz sponsored legislation to advocate for an advisory board dedicated to studying the civic, social, and economic discrimination faced by New York women and girls. She also sponsored legislation to make feminine hygiene products available in school bathrooms and ensure lactation rooms were available in city-owned buildings.

District 30: Elizabeth Crowley
Queens: Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, Woodside

Elizabeth Crowley has shown unshakable dedication to improving the lives of Queens’ women and families. She spearheaded groundbreaking legislation to track and encourage the use of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs), advance pay equity, and expand training on domestic violence and child abuse treatment for shelter volunteers.

District 31: Donovan Richards
Queens: Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens

Donovan Richards has proven that he is a dedicated advocate and proponent of women’s rights in the City Council. A proud resident of Southeast Queens, he has consistently supported local measures to address the diverse set of issues women face, including co-sponsoring legislation banning employers from asking about previous salaries.

District 35: Laurie Cumbo
Brooklyn: Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Bedford Stuyvesant

As Chairwoman of the Committee on Women’s Issues, Laurie Cumbo speaks out on the concerns most important to NYC women and families. A powerful voice in the City Council, Councilmember Cumbo spearheaded the creation of a task force to standardize comprehensive sex education, sponsored programs to retrain parents returning to the workforce, and pushed for the creation of lactation centers in city-owned buildings.

District 40: Pia Raymond
Brooklyn: Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Park

Pia Raymond is a dedicated public servant who is uniting her passion for community issues and the promotion of small businesses to uplift women in her community. As her district faces gentrification, Ms. Raymond has been on the frontlines fighting to keep women and minority owned businesses afloat and to preserve affordable housing.

District 41: Alicka Samuel
Brooklyn: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Ocean Hill-Brownsville, East Flatbush, Crown Heights

Experienced in both the public and nonprofit spheres, Alicka Samuel has worked to fight for reproductive justice and human rights for girls, locally and internationally. Her experiences as a Human Rights Coordinator for the U.S. Department of State and as Chief of Staff in the City Council, combined with her spirited community activism, ensures that she will be a strong voice for the people of District 41.