News & Updates
  • Hyper-local primary results

    Grand Street Democrats officially is responsible for Part A of Assembly District 65. That’s a small slice of the Lower East Side comprised of all four Grand Street co-ops (East River, Hillman, Amalgamated, and Seward Park); half a dozen buildings of Vladeck Houses on Jackson Street; a block of low-rises bordered by Henry, Clinton, East Broadway, and Montgomery; and a few additional addresses sprinkled in between.

    Map of Assembly District 65 Part A.

    We know who won last week’s primary, but how did they do just in our part?

    Andrew Cuomo won more votes for Governor, but by a much smaller margin than in the state overall.

    Jumaane Williams picked up more votes here for Lt. Governor than the statewide winner, Kathy Hochul. (Though you can see that Williams matched Cynthia Nixon’s vote total, while Hochul had a 24% drop-off from Cuomo, her running-mate.)

    In a four-way race for Attorney General, Zephyr Teachout won the neighborhood, with eventual winner Tish James a close second.

    Robert Rosenthal lost a close race for Civil Court Judge in the 2nd Judicial District, but bested Wendy Li by 17 points in our neighborhood.

    Finally, in the race for Democratic State Committee, Chris Marte beat his opponent here by an even bigger margin than in the full Assembly District.

  • Sept. 24: Sister District Fundraiser and Party

    Sister District is a national organization working to connect Democrats in deep blue districts (like us) with state candidates in purple districts who are at the front lines of the blue wave.

    This year, New York’s Sister District chapters are supporting Liz Hanbidge and Tina Davis in Pennsylvania. GSD volunteers helped phone bank for Hanbidge earlier this year, and now we have a chance to meet both candidates at a fundraiser on Monday, September 24.

    Sister District Fundraiser for Liz Hanbidge and Tina Davis

    Monday, September 24
    6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

    Sid Gold’s Request Room
    165 W. 26th St.

    Stars from Frozen and Wicked and other shows will perform, and there will be an auction for backstage passes to Broadway hits.

    You can attend without donating or donate without attending, but please do both!

  • Congratulations, Christopher Marte

    In last Thursday’s primary, local activist Christopher Marte won a resounding victory over his challenger for a position on the NY State Democratic Committee.

    This is an internal party position, usually dominated by Albany insiders. Chris brings with him a history of community activism and a commitment to progressive policies, and promises to join a small but growing progressive caucus within this party apparatus dedicated to making our party’s internal rules and deliberations more transparent and equitable.

    Congratulations, Chris!

  • Primary election results for 9/13/18

    Grand Street Democrats had a chance to vote in five contests on Thursday, September 13. The winners are:

    • Andrew Cuomo for Governor
    • Kathy Hochul for Lt. Governor
    • Letitia James for Attorney General
    • Wendy Li for Civil Court Judge
    • Christopher Marte for Democratic State Committee

    Congratulations to all the candidates, and thank you to all our volunteers in the neighborhood who helped get out the vote!

  • 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.

  • 8/27 6pm: Meet Robert Rosenthal

    You are invited to meet
    Robert Rosenthal, candidate for civil court
    Monday, August 27
    6:00 – 8:00 pm

    Seward Park Coop Community Room
    266 East Broadway

    On September 13, we have an uncommon opportunity to select a new civil court judge for the second judicial district (covering much of the East Village and Lower East Side). Robert Rosenthal is the only candidate in that race to be rated “Highly Qualified” by three independent screening panels, and is endorsed by every one of our local elected officials as well as many prominent members of Grand Street Democrats.

    On Monday evening, come meet Robert and hear why it’s so important to vote for him on September 13.

  • Sunday 8/26: Canvass for Cynthia Nixon and Jumaane Williams

    Grand Street Canvass for Nixon/Williams
    Sunday, August 26
    1:00 – 5:00 pm

    413 Grand Street, Apt. F1007

    We have another chance this weekend to tell neighbors about our support for Cynthia Nixon for Governor and Jumaane Williams for Lt. Governor.

    We’ll meet in Seward building 2, apartment F1007 with campaign organizers before heading out to contact Seward Democrats personally.

  • Sunday 8/12: Canvass for Cynthia Nixon and Jumaane Williams

    Grand Street Canvass for Nixon/Williams

    Sunday, August 12
    3:30 – 7:30 pm

    550J Grand Street, #11F

    After our meeting Thursday with Cynthia Nixon and her campaign team, we are ready to knock on doors on Grand Street to mobilize our neighbors for the primary. GSD member Sarah Richardson has graciously opened her home on Sunday to get this campaign season underway.

  • Grand Street Democrats Endorses Robert Rosenthal for Civil Court, District 2

    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 will bring a true progressive spirit to the bench.