Feminists pick Harrison over Michael McMahon in NY 13th Congressional District in Tues., Sept. 9 Democratic Primary
August 20 Press Conference
(Staten Island/Brooklyn) -- The National Organization for Women (NOW) will announce its formal endorsement of Steve Harrison as the strongest supporter of women's rights in the race for New York's 13th Congressional District (Staten Island/Southwest Brooklyn) Democratic nomination in a 2:00 PM Wednesday Aug. 20 press conference at the Staten Island Hotel, 1415 Richmond Ave., Staten Island, NY.
Harrison is running against New York City Councilman Michael McMahon in the Democratic Primary which will be held Tues., Sept. 9.
"NOW PAC is pleased to endorse Steve Harrison for the U.S. House of Representatives from New York," said NOW Political Action Committee Chair Kim Gandy. "We look forward to voters in Staten Island and Brooklyn sending a strong supporter of women's rights to Washington. Steve has the values we need to improve the lives of women and families in this country."
The Brooklyn Queens NOW Political Action Committee (BQ NOW PAC) recommended that the Washington-based organization headed by Gandy endorse Harrison. With a member-base of over 500,000 NOW is the largest organization of feminists in the country.
"We were impressed with Steve Harrison's grasp of and support of our core issues: constitutional equality for women, reproductive rights, equal economic opportunity, stopping violence against women and ending gender and sexual orientation discrimination," said Shirley Ranz, the chair of the local NOW PAC.
BQ-NOW Vice President Rachelle Suissa added, "If given the opportunity, Steve will definitely be the candidate who holds true to the values of women and minorities and who works to uphold civil rights and liberties each and every day. His ideology, experience, and candor all speak for themselves when it comes to these issues."
McMahon's record opposing abortion and his lukewarm support of other gender issues in general while a member of the New York City Council was also a factor in the endorsement, NOW officials said.
"McMahon is a political conservative who opposed choice when his vote counted in NYC Council," noted BQ NOW Secretary Sherry Rogers. "We cannot support someone who waivers in his support of our issues to placate his RTL constituency. They have the Republicans for that. Who will speak for women; Steve Harrison!"
Harrison said he won't let women of the 13th district down. "I am honored to receive this endorsement. In Congress I will fight for reproductive rights and to end gender discrimination," Harrison said.
In 2006 against Republican incumbent Vito Fossella, Harrison received a higher percentage of the vote than any Democrat ever under the Congressional District's current geographic configuration. The scandal-ridden Fossella is not seeking re-election.
For more information about Steve Harrison visit HarrisonForCongress.com or call 718-745-2539. For more information on NOW visit NOW.org.
It's A Boy!
Written by Josh Silverstein
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
All of us here at Democracy for New York City would like to congratulate our endorsed candidate Luke Henry and the entire Henry family as they welcome their new son Oliver!
Luke Henry and his wife, Meghan Bryant, welcomed their first child, a son, on Saturday, August 16. Oliver Franklin Henry was born at 2:41 p.m. at New York University Hospital, weighing in at seven pounds, nine ounces.
Mom and baby are doing great. An elated Luke says he's looking forward to taking Oliver to the park for an introduction to campaigning.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 August 2008 )
DFNYC 2008 Presidential Endorsement Vote
Written by Tracey Denton
Tuesday, 05 August 2008
It is one of the principles of Democracy for NYC to reach out to our members for their vote and opinion on issue and candidate endorsements. As we head into the general election this November, we felt it was important to take a formal vote on whether to make an endorsement in the Presidential race.
Should Democracy for NYC endorse Democratic Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States?
"I think people are looking at the total candidate," said City Councilman Tony Avella,
also a long-shot mayoral candidate. "He [Obama] stands for change, and we need change in the city."
"It has gotten really bad," he added. "Good legislation languishes in the Council forever."
The theme of Obama for change in City Hall ran throughout the evening.
"I've been for Obama for a year and a half," said Norman Siegel,
an attorney making his third bid for public advocate, as Tom Petty played in
the background. "I love his intellect, his vision, his idealism. But I
disagree with his policies on Pfizer, capital punishment, and the Second Amendment.
I'd love to sit down with him and discuss issues like civil liberties--but
it's a no-brainier, you vote for Barack Obama."
...
When it was Mark Green's turn onstage he turned to the audience and said,
"Raise your hand if you organized for Hillary in the primary contest."
About about 30 people--roughly two-thirds of the crowd--raised their hands.
"Raise your hand if you organized for Obama in the primary contest,"
he demanded, as about 20 people raised their hands, and someone hissed loudly.
"Now," Green went on. "Who is not yet convinced to go all out for Barack Obama?"
Longtime DFNYC member, Bayside linkup host and candidate for
NY City Council (district 19 - Queens) spoke at the
2008 Netroots Nation
Candidates Forum. The audio and video (courtesy of DFNYC
member Josh Silverstein) isn't pristine, but Steve's progressive
passion always manages to shine through the clouds of conservative
dispair or problematic videography.
