Grand Street Democrats Endorsements for 2018 Primary

Primary Day is Thursday, September 13. Don’t forget to vote!

Cynthia Nixon for Governor

New York should be leading the way on progressive issues like single-payer health care and prison reform. But despite clear and repeated victories for these issues in the Assembly, the Governor and the Republicans he has propped up in the State Senate have blocked these reforms from becoming law. 

Cynthia Nixon is a long-time advocate for public education and social justice reform. Nixon has made passing these laws a priority: 

  • Protecting reproductive rights before the Supreme Court guts Roe v Wade.
  • Ending the prosecution of children as adults.
  • Legalizing marijuana and reforming cash bail so that the most vulnerable are not victimized by our criminal justice system.
  • Enacting early voting and automatic voter registration to increase voter participation.

Gov. Cuomo has avoided any real investigation into corruption, while top members of his own administration have been convicted in devastating pay-to-play schemes. With her promise to close the LLC campaign finance loophole, Cynthia Nixon is poised to finally bring some common-sense fairness to Albany politics. 

And one more thing: Cynthia Nixon knows that the subway is the governor’s responsibility, and she will fully fund the system to get New Yorkers moving again!

Jumaane Williams for Lt. Governor

Jumaane Williams is an exciting choice this year for Lt. Governor.

A true progressive and activist, Williams cut his teeth as a tenant organizer in Brooklyn, helping working families avoid eviction.

As a member of the City Council, Williams has championed criminal justice reform that would end mass incarceration. 

As Lt. Governor, he would blaze his own trail as an advocate for more progressive policies.

Letitia James for Attorney General

There’s a big upside for New Yorkers following Eric Schneiderman’s swift fall — we have some great Democrats running to replace him (including three who would be the state’s first female Attorney General).

Letitia James stands out from the crowd with her fierce advocacy for working families, her experience in the A.G.’s office, and her independence. She’s promised to go after corruption in Albany … and Trump Tower!

Robert Rosenthal for Civil Court Judge

For 27 years, Robert Rosenthal has been representing people who have been ignored or pushed aside because of what they look like, where they are from, what they believe, who they love, or what they have – or don’t have. 

He is the only candidate in the race awarded “Most Qualified” rating from three independent review panels.

Rosenthal is endorsed by nearly every local elected official — Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou; Councilmembers Margaret Chin and Carlina Rivera; NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer; Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer; and Congressmembers Nydia Velazquez and Carolyn Maloney.

He has the experience, passion, and perspective necessary to preside over a courtroom in which everyone is treated fairly.

Christopher Marte for State Committee

Christopher Marte is running for a seat on the NY Democratic State Committee, an internal party organization that has little public exposure but can be an important instrument for moving the Democratic party as a whole in
a more progressive direction. 

Marte will join a growing progressive caucus in that body standing up for internal party reforms and making sure that candidates who deserve a chance to break through are given a voice at the party convention.

With endorsements from other local groups like Lower East Side Democrats, The Asian-American Democratic Club, and Downtown Independent Democrats, Marte has been able to build a coalition of support from across our diverse district. Plus, he’s been a member and supporter of Grand Street Dems since its inception.