In light of the results of last night’s Primary Election, Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City (SDNYC) is requesting that our membership convene for a meeting that has been scheduled for next Wednesday September 18, 2013, beginning at 8:00 pm sharp. This meeting will be conducted at the LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th Street, in Greenwich Village. We especially encourage all dues paid members to attend and participate in this meeting, as there may be proposed actions that may require the club’s vote. Before we get down to business, this is a time to celebrate and reflect upon some of last night’s victories.
In neighborhoods throughout all five boroughs, seventeen (17) Stonewall-endorsed individuals who faced contested primaries for City Council seats were elected to run in the general election with the Democratic party’s nomination. It is particularly noteworthy that:
Ritchie Torres is the first Out LGBT candidate elected in Bronx County
Insurgent candidate Carlos Menchaca has unseated an incumbent and is Kings County’s first elected Out LGBT candidate
In the Lower East Side, incumbent Council Member Rosie Mendez successfully defeated a homophobic opponent.
Following in the footsteps of Senator Tom Duane, and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Corey Johnson was elected as our party's candidate in the Council’s 3rd District.
We are proud of our allies whom we endorsed and whom were successful in contested Council Primaries, including Costa Constantinides in western Queens, Mark Levine in northern Manhattan, John Mancuso in Staten Island, and Antonio Reynoso in northern Brooklyn.
In the races for executive positions we are proud to have endorsed our allies Melinda Katz, candidate for Queens Borough President, incumbent Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and last night’s really big winner, Scott Stringer, candidate for New York City Comptroller.
It is clear that as none of the candidates seeking the nomination as the Democratic candidate for New York City Public Advocate received 40% of the Primary election vote, the top two candidates will face each other in a Run Off Election on October 1, 2013. Congratulations to SDNYC endorsed candidate Daniel Squadron.
At this moment, we are uncertain whether or not our party’s nomination of a Mayoral candidate will be decided in the October 1 Run Off. Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City has been in contact with the two candidates who are in the leading positions. Both candidates have re-affirmed that they seek our endorsement for the Democratic nomination as New York City’s Mayor. Faced with this position, SDNYC’s members will conduct an endorsement vote at our meeting next Wednesday night September 18, where candidates or proxy representatives will be our guest speakers.