StreetsPAC this morning announced a fourth round of City Council candidate endorsements for New York City’s September 2017 primary, backing Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez, Justin Brannan and Richard David for three of the Council’s open seats, Ede Fox in a rematch of 2013’s 35th District race, and Vanessa Gibson for re-election in the Bronx’s 16th District.
"With only a handful of open seats up for grabs in the City Council, we’re pleased to be able to back three well qualified candidates in Robert Rodriguez, Richard David and Justin Brannan," said Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC. "Assemblyman Rodriguez led the push in Albany for the Move NY Fair Plan, and with Governor Cuomo’s newfound interest in congestion pricing, he could play a critical role in getting it enacted."
"Richard David will bring energy and innovation to a district that’s been starving for it," said Ken Coughlin, a StreetsPAC Board Member. "We’re excited to back him in what has suddenly become a very dynamic race."
"Bay Ridge is going to elect a new Council Member for the first time in 14 years," said StreetsPAC Board Member A. Scott Falk, "and no one’s better suited to the role than Justin Brannan. He’s got a strong grasp of progressive transportation policies, and we expect him to make change right out of the gate."
"We endorsed Ede Fox’s 2013 campaign for City Council, and we felt she was worthy of our support again," said StreetsPAC Board Member Hilda Cohen. "She’s committed to making safer streets a priority in the 35th District."
“Vanessa Gibson has been a staunch supporter of Vision Zero and the city’s Right of Way Law,” said Steve Vaccaro, a StreetsPAC Board Member. “She also possesses a granular knowledge of the streets in her district, and is committed to making them better, and safer.”
Today’s announcement brings the total number of City Council candidates endorsed by StreetsPAC to 20, surpassing the number of endorsements StreetsPAC made in Council races in the 2013 primary election. StreetsPAC expects to issue a final round of City Council endorsements early next week.
Here are more details about today’s endorsements:
Robert Rodriguez, Council District 8, Manhattan/Bronx (Open Seat) – Rodriguez, who has been a member of the State Assembly since 2011, is running for the open seat held by the City Council’s term-limited Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito. He’s led the effort for the Move NY Fair Plan in the Assembly, and will continue to push for its adoption in the Council. He’ll also advocate for extending the 2nd Avenue subway, having been a strong supporter of that project in Albany. In addition, Rodriguez supports expansion of Citi Bike, with increased subsidies for low-income users, and will work to expand deployment of speed and red-light cameras.
Vanessa Gibson, Council District 15, Bronx (Incumbent) – Gibson, who’s running for a second term representing the West Bronx, chairs the Council’s Public Safety Committee. She pledges to continue fighting against traffic violence and for Vision Zero. In her district, she supports the redesign of the Grand Concourse with protected bike lanes and other enhanced street designs that improve safety for all users. As Public Safety Chair, she remains committed to working with all stakeholders to increase street safety, and to providing much needed resources to the NYPD's Collision Investigation Unit, and will further support efforts to improve public outreach, education and enforcement of existing laws.
Richard David, Council District 28, Queens (Open Seat) – David is running for the Queens seat recently made vacant by the criminal conviction of Ruben Wills. His priorities include a push for improved bus service, including real-time arrival information, and the redevelopment of the Jamaica Bus Terminal, with a focus on improved pedestrian safety. He also wants to see the bike network expanded throughout the 28th District, and will advocate for the restoration of the Commuter Tax, with the proceeds dedicated to improving mass transit. Whoever wins the seat, be it David or capable opponents Hettie Powell and Adrienne Adams, it will be an upgrade for residents of the 28th District.
Ede Fox, Council District 35, Brooklyn (Challenger) – Fox, whom we backed in the 2013 race for this seat, has worked for Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and was Chief of Staff to Council Member Jumaane Williams. Her top transportation priority is establishing more safe options and north-south travel connections through the district, including new and expanded Select Bus Service routes, improved local bus service, and better cycling infrastructure. She’s also committed to pushing to make the Franklin Avenue subway station fully accessible, and to encouraging more diversity and youth participation on local Community Boards.
Justin Brannan, Council District 43, Brooklyn (Open Seat) – Brannan, a Bay Ridge native, has worked for the de Blasio administration and for term-limited Council Member Vincent Gentile, whom he hopes to succeed. He wants NYC DOT to look at extending the redesign of 4th Avenue south of 65th Street, and is an advocate for improving the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. He supports restoring the two-way toll on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and backs the effort to build a pedestrian and cycle path on the bridge as part of the Harbor Ring plan. He’d also like to see truck traffic shifted from local streets to the Belt Parkway, where it’s not currently permitted.
StreetsPAC will help elect its endorsed candidates with cash contributions and volunteer support.
Help Elect StreetsPAC's Endorsed Candidates – Volunteer!
A number of the candidates we've endorsed in the New York City primary election on September 12th are involved in highly competitive races. And nothing can help put a candidate over the top like dedicated volunteers!
Do you have a few hours to spare to help elect a candidate committed to making New York City streets safer? Can you help make phone calls or hand out campaign literature for someone who will go to work to improve our transit system? Then sign up today!
Just click here, provide your contact information and indicate the candidate or candidates you're interested in helping, and we'll share your information with the respective campaigns for follow up.
Thank you for your willingness to volunteer!
Voter Registration Deadline Tomorrow!
The deadline for registering to vote in New York City's 2017 primary is tomorrow, August 18th! To be eligible to cast a vote in the primary, you must be registered with a political party affiliation. If you're not currently registered, you application must be postmarked by tomorrow.
You can check up on your registration status, register online or download an application, find your polling site and much more at nycvotes.org. Our endorsements are important, but you have to do your part by voting – and that starts with making sure you're registered!
