Elvin Garcia Marches in LGBT Pride Parade with Danny O’Donnell
All month Council candidate Elvin Garcia has been promoting that he will be marching in today’s LGBT Pride Parade with Marriage Equality champion Manhattan Assemblyman Danny ODonnell. In Gay City News, ODonnell called Garcia’s opponent “a bigot and a hatemonger and a homophobe…and there is no bigger hatemonger than Reverend Diaz.”
Broadway actor and Garcia supporter, Alan Cummings tweeted this week: “Please help Elvin Garcia win against a homophobic pro-Trump Dem for City Council!”
The Democratic primary in District 18 is shaping up to be a referendum on LGBTQ rights and Sen. Diaz’s past opposition to same-sex marriage.
Small Business Congress Endorses Beltzer and Doyle
On the steps of City Hall Wednesday, John C. Doyle and Michael Beltzer received the endorsement from the Small Business Congress for Bronx City Council District 13 and 18, respectively. Small Business Congress also endorsed former councilman Sal Albanese for mayor. The SBC is comprised of Merchant and Business organizations throughout the City.
Record Number of Candidates Join Public Matching Funds Program
The NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) reports that 218 out of 267 registered candidates for the 2017 elections joined New York City’s landmark Campaign Finance Program. Among those who certified, 37 incumbents up for re-election joined the program. Thirty-five Bronx candidates, including Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., have joined the CFB program.
The deadline to certify as a participant in the program was June 12. The initial payment of public matching funds is scheduled for the first week of August, ahead of the primary election on September 12.
According to CFB records, incumbent Bronx Council Members Andrew Cohen, Andy King, and Rafael Salamanca, Jr. are non-participants this election cycle. In past years, CM King was fined by the CFB for violating program rules during his 2012 special election and 2013 primary election.
Queens GOP Chairman Bob Turner Praises JC Polanco
Former Queens congressman Bob Turner has thrown his support behind J.C. Polanco saying he will bring a common-sense approach to the Public Advocate’s office. “Polanco has the ability to go into every part of our city and make the case for economic empowerment and individual responsibility. I am proud to support J.C.’s campaign.”
1199SEIU Backs Abreu Over CM Cabrera
This week, 1199SEIU healthcare workers endorsed Randy Abreu for the 14th City Council district. The powerhouse union called Abreu the progressive candidate in that race “who believes strongly in the power of labor as an essential part of New York City’s economic growth and sustainability.” The endorsement is seen as a rebuke of incumbent CM Fernando Cabrera who is regarded as a conservative Democrat.
Also, Abreu was selected to join the 2017 Internet Law and Policy Foundry Fellows Class consists of 57 future leaders in Internet law and policy.
Where in the World is Assemblyman Michael Blake
DNC Vice Chair Assemblyman Michael Blake spent Saturday afternoon speaking to Central Iowa Democrats in Ames.
AM Michael Blake in Ames, IA to speak to Central Iowa Democrats.
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