Dear Lucas
Voter turnout in Espada's district increased by almost one-third over the 2008 primary election. More than 11,000 Democrats cast their ballots with an overwhelming 62% voting for New Roosevelt Initiative-endorsed candidate Gustavo Rivera. New Yorkers want to see real reform enacted immediately and are willing to send young, bright progressive-minded candidates to Albany who will get the job done.
Many said defeating Pedro Esapda, the incumbent State Senator, would be an uphill battle. New Roosevelt Initiative was the first organization to endorse Rivera, in a crowded primary field, more than two months ago and saw him as the best shot to beat Espada and bring reform to Albany.
The ground swell of support around reform allowed New Roosevelt Initiative to build from scratch a field organization totally devoted to Albany reform. Our field organization executed a targeted field and mail operation directed at Bronx primary voters as well as polling and get out the vote efforts. You can read more about our efforts from our statement on our website .
In case you missed it, please check out today's New York Times coverage of our victory " Newcomer Ousts Espada; Monserrate Loses Political Return ." We are proud to have helped make the defeat of Espada a reality.
With this victory we are sending a message to both Republicans and Democrats that if major reform measures are not in enacted soon, they may face the same fate as Espada in 2012. You can learn more tonight about our plans by watching Bill Samuels on YNN's Capital Tonight .
Espada down, more to go! Join us .
Best,
Bill Samuels
New Roosevelt Initiative
P.S. learn more at NewRooseveltInitiative.com , follow us at Twitter.com/NewRoosevelt , watch us at http://YouTube.com/NewRoosevelt , or become a fan Facebook .