The Election is Six Days Away – Make Your Voting Plan and Pull the Lever for StreetsPAC-Endorsed Candidates!

We're just six days away from the 2018 general election, on Tuesday, November 6th. You can confirm your voter-registration status, find your polling location, and see a sample ballot at voting.nyc. Most importantly, please make a plan to vote – there's a lot riding on the outcome, especially as it pertains to making our streets safer and improving our public transit system.

And if you are registered in one of the districts in which we've made an endorsement, please be sure to vote for the StreetsPAC candidate! Meet our 10 endorsees below – five for State Senate, and five for the Assembly.

Alessandra Biaggi, 34th Senate District, Bronx (Democratic Primary Winner) – Biaggi, a Bronx native who was Deputy National Operations Director for Hillary Clinton's 2016 Presidential run, upset Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein in September's primary. She's pledged support for a comprehensive congestion-pricing plan consistent with the Move NY and FixNYC proposals, and wants to see Albany pass legislation that would increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers. She will also advocate for reinstatement and an increase in the number of speed cameras authorized for New York City, as well as the elimination of restrictions governing their operation.

Andrew Gounardes, 22nd Senate District, Brooklyn (Democratic Primary Winner) – Gounardes, a native of Bay Ridge and Counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, is facing Republican State Senator Marty Golden in the general election. Gounardes has made street safety a core element of his campaign – he supports placing speed cameras in all of New York City's school zones, wants the city to accelerate street redesigns to prioritize safety, and backs requiring defensive-driving courses or driving refreshers with every license renewal. He also supports congestion pricing, and is adamant that every subway station should be accessible.

Julia Salazar, 18th Senate District, Brooklyn (Democratic Primary Winner) – Salazar, a community organizer, won the September primary against incumbent Senator Martin Malavé Dilan in North Brooklyn's 18th District. She's committed to improving the transit system, including upgrading bus service in the district, accelerating the MTA's station-accessibility efforts, and ensuring that every resident of North Brooklyn has ready access to public transit during the L train shutdown. She'll also vote to reinstate and expand the city's speed camera program, and will support a congestion-pricing plan that funds a better transit system while protecting low-income drivers who have no other means of getting to work.

Robert Jackson, 31st Senate District, Manhattan (Democratic Primary Winner) – Jackson, who served for 12 years in the City Council, defeated first-term State Senator Marisol Alcantera in the September primary. Jackson is a backer of congestion pricing, and supports residential parking permits as a means of combatting the influx of park-and-ride drivers who routinely flood upper Manhattan. He also wants to see the city's lapsed speed camera program renewed and expanded, and is committed to pursuing improvements to the Hudson River Greenway.

Zellnor Myrie, 20th Senate District, Brooklyn (Democratic Primary Winner) – Myrie, a lawyer and activist, won his September primary race against incumbent Jesse Hamilton. Myrie supports congestion pricing, and plans to advocate for implementation of Select Bus Service in East Flatbush and Brownsville. He will also back legislation that would limit the ability of consistently dangerous drivers to remain behind the wheel, with an emphasis on restorative justice. He wants to see Linden Boulevard redesigned with pedestrian safety upgrades and protected bike lanes, and supports a Vision Zero makeover for the irregular triangles at the confluence of Howard, Pitkin and East New York Avenues in Brownsville.

Brian Barnwell, 30th Assembly District, Queens (Incumbent/Democratic Primary Winner) – Barnwell, one of the younger members of the Assembly, won his central Queens seat in 2016 by upsetting a long-term incumbent, and handily won a competitive primary in September. He supports implementation of Select Bus Service on major avenues in Maspeth and Middle Village, and wants to see the city's school speed safety camera program renewed and expanded. He's also been working with the MTA to implement transit improvements in his district using state multi-modal transportation funds.

Catalina Cruz, 39th Assembly District, Queens (Democratic Primary Winner) – Cruz, the first DREAMer to run for office in New York State, is an attorney who served as Chief of Staff to former City Council Finance Chair Julissa Ferraras-Copeland. She bested incumbent Assemblymember Ari Espinal in September. Cruz supports congestion pricing, and reinstatement and expansion of the city's speed camera program. She wants to see Select Bus Service implemented along Junction Boulevard, and supports passage of legislation that would increase penalties for drivers who flee crashes. She also believes that New York City should have control of the subways and city buses.

Harvey Epstein, 74th Assembly District, Manhattan (Incumbent/Democratic Primary Winner) – Epstein, who won a special election in April to succeed Brian Kavanagh in this east side district, is now running for a full term. Prior to winning office, he built a distinguished career as a public-interest lawyer and community organizer. Epstein has already made his mark in Albany by introducing a bill that would remove caps on the number of bus-lane and red-light cameras in New York City, and he supports congestion pricing and the renewal and expansion of the city's speed-camera program. He's also an advocate for a robust plan for dealing with the impending L train shutdown.

Jo Anne Simon, 52nd Assembly District, Brooklyn (Incumbent) – Simon is running for election to a third term in the Assembly, where she serves on the Transportation Committee, and she's been an advocate for safe streets and better transit for decades. She's an original co-sponsor of the bill supporting the Move New York congestion-pricing plan, and is adamant about the need to reinstate and expand New York City's speed-camera program. In addition, Simon is the lead sponsor of a bill that would authorize the city of New York to establish a residential parking-permit system.

Robert Carroll, 44th Assembly District, Brooklyn (Incumbent) – Carroll, who won his Assembly seat in 2016 with StreetsPAC's backing, has quickly established himself as a transit and safe-streets champion. He's pledged to continue to lead the fight for passage of a comprehensive congestion-pricing plan, and is committed to working to bring runaway MTA capital costs in line with those of other major transit systems. He supports reinstatement and expansion of the city's speed camera effort, and will continue to advocate for legislation aimed at getting dangerous drivers off the road.

#FlipYourBallot! We Encourage You to Vote Yes on Ballot Proposal 3 for Community Board Term Limits.

Please remember to flip over your ballot when you're voting, as there are three ballot proposals on the reverse side. We encourage you to vote yes on Ballot Proposal 3, which, among other reforms, would establish term limits for Community Board members.

Our friends at Reinvent Albany provided the following statement to the New York City Campaign Finance Board summarizing the benefits of a yes vote on Proposal 3:

A yes vote on Question 3 generally establishes term limits for community board members of four consecutive two-year terms. It will require borough presidents, who appoint community board members, to create a standardized application for appointment and to document their marketing of vacant community board positions.

A yes vote on this question will result in community boards that are more diverse and representative of the communities they serve. This will help ensure a robust discussion of land use matters before the board, and that voices in the community are heard. All residents will experience a fairer application process and have a better opportunity to serve the community on the board.

Please note that several StreetsPAC board members also serve on their respective Community Boards.

One last reminder that tonight, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., we're hosting a critically important fundraiser for Andrew Gounardes.

We've been making the case – repeatedly, we know – about how important this race is, not only for life-saving safe-streets programs like school-based speed cameras, but for better public transit and a host of other progressive policies, both in New York City and throughout New York State.

Andrew's run for the State Senate is a "Golden" opportunity to win the seat that would lead to a long list of positive changes, but he needs our help to overcome Marty Golden's three-to-one advantage in campaign cash. And tonight is a great chance for you to help make a difference.

We can't let this opportunity to elect a safe-streets and transit champion slip away for want of a few dollars. Please join us tonight and give generously. If you can't be there in person, you can be there in spirit by contributing via the link below.

To RSVP for the fundraiser (more details below), you can send an email to Koren Frankfort at [email protected].

To contribute right now, please visit https://secure.actblue.com/donate/streetspac4andrew#.

Let's send Andrew to the State Senate. Thank you.

Canvassing for Andrew's Campaign with StreetsPAC

You can also help Andrew's chances by signing up with StreetsPAC to canvass voters between now and November 6th. We're sending teams out to the 22nd State Senate District multiple times each week. We'll give you a StreetsPAC t-shirt, and if you join us this coming Sunday afternoon, we'll even spring for pizza. Sign up here!

Join Us Monday to Support Andrew Gounardes!

Just a quick reminder that this coming Monday, October 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., we're hosting a critically important fundraiser for Andrew Gounardes.

No race in New York State has more riding on it than Andrew's campaign to oust long-entrenched State Senator Marty Golden. The outcome has major ramifications for the future of the city's speed safety cameras, for a host of other street-safety issues, for public transit, and for many other concerns facing New Yorkers.

Andrew has an excellent chance of winning this race, but he faces one daunting hurdle: Marty Golden holds a three-to-one fundraising advantage.

That's where we, together, can make an important difference. Don't let this opportunity to elect a safe-streets and transit champion come up short. Please join us on Monday and give generously. We can win this race.

To RSVP for the fundraiser (more details below), please send an email to Koren Frankfort at [email protected].

To make a contribution online, please visit https://secure.actblue.com/donate/streetspac4andrew# today.

So much is riding on the outcome of this race. Please help us turn the tide in Andrew's favor. Thank you.

You can also help Andrew's campaign by signing up with StreetsPAC to canvass voters between now and November 6th. We're sending teams out to the 22nd State Senate District multiple times each week. Sign up here!

Voter Registration Deadline Today!

If you're not already registered to vote in New York State, today is the last day for you to submit a voter-registration form that will allow you to vote in the November 6th general election.

For all the information you need to register, including downloadable forms that must be mailed today, please visit NYC Votes: www.nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/registering. Don't delay, register today!

Please join us on Monday, October 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., for a fundraiser for Andrew Gounardes.

No race in New York State has more riding on it than Andrew's campaign to oust long-entrenched State Senator Marty Golden.

We have the opportunity to elect a leader who will push to expand the life-saving speed camera program to every school in New York City, a program that his opponent has undermined and obstructed at every turn.

We have the chance to elect a leader who has put pedestrian safety and improved public transit at the top of his campaign agenda, while his opponent has demonstrated contempt for vehicular laws in racking up a series of dangerous-driving violations.

And finally, we have a duty to elect a State Senate majority that will prioritize the safer streets and better transit that all New York City residents deserve, instead of the obstructionists pushing a suburbs-first agenda.

Andrew has an excellent chance of winning this race and accomplishing all of those things, but it won't be easy. It's very possible that the outcome will hinge on the issue of safe streets.

But Andrew's many advantages could be undone by one simple, and glaring, disadvantage: Marty Golden holds a three-to-one fundraising advantage.

That's why Monday's fundraiser is so critical, and it's an easy way for you to make an important and immediate difference. Please don't let this opportunity to send a safe-streets and transit champion to Albany come up short. Please join us on Monday and give generously. We can win this.

To RSVP, please send an email to Koren Frankfort at [email protected].

To contribute online, please visit https://secure.actblue.com/donate/streetspac4andrew# today.

Let's not squander this "Golden" opportunity to improve New York City's streets and transit system.

Please join us on Monday, October 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., for a fundraiser for Andrew Gounardes.

Andrew, whom we formally endorsed on September 20, is running against long-entrenched State Senator Marty Golden. A win for Andrew could not only lead to expansion of New York City's life-saving school speed camera program, but could also be instrumental in flipping control of the State Senate to the Democratic Party, which could have significant ramifications for a host of important street-safety and pro-transit initiatives.

The race may very well turn on the issue of safe streets – Andrew has made pedestrian safety and improved subway service centerpieces of his campaign, while Golden has compiled an abysmal personal driving record while failing to advocate for public transit improvements despite having sat for years on the MTA Capital Program Review Board.

Gounardes has an excellent chance of winning this race, but make no mistake: it's an uphill battle. Because the outcome may also turn on money – Golden holds a three-to-one fundraising advantage over Andrew. That's why our fundraiser is so critical, and why we need your help. In all of New York City, this is the key race between now and election day.

To RSVP, please send an email to Koren Frankfort at [email protected].

To make a contribution, please visit https://secure.actblue.com/donate/streetspac4andrew# today!

Let's not miss this "Golden" opportunity to improve New York City's streets and transit system. Thank you.

Democratic Primary Winner Will Face Off Against Marty Golden in November

Biaggi, Jackson, Myrie, Salazar Win Senate Races; Barnwell, Cruz & Epstein Victors in Assembly Primaries

Blake Morris, 17th Senate District, Brooklyn (Challenger) – Morris, an attorney who lives in Ditmas Park, is running to unseat Simcha Felder, a Democrat who caucuses with Republicans in the State Senate and was responsible for bottling up in committee a bill that would have reauthorized, and increased the number of, speed safety cameras in New York City. Unlike Felder, Morris supports reinstating, and expanding, the speed camera program, and will push for safety improvements along Ocean Parkway. He also backs the proposed Triboro RX subway line, and supports passage of a comprehensive congestion-pricing plan.

Julia Salazar, 18th Senate District, Brooklyn (Challenger) – Salazar, a community organizer and Democratic Socialist, is challenging incumbent Senator Martin Malavé Dilan in North Brooklyn's 18th District. She's committed to improving the transit system, including upgrading bus service in the district, accelerating the MTA's station-accessibility efforts, and ensuring that every resident of North Brooklyn has ready access to public transit during the L train shutdown. She'll also vote to reinstate and expand the city's speed camera program, and will support a congestion-pricing plan that funds a better transit system while protecting low-income drivers who have no other means of getting to work.

Zellnor Myrie, 20th Senate District, Brooklyn (Challenger) – Myrie, a lawyer and activist, is seeking to unseat Jesse Hamilton, who was a member of the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference. Myrie supports congestion pricing, and plans to advocate for implementation of Select Bus Service in East Flatbush and Brownsville. He will also back legislation that would limit the ability of consistently dangerous drivers to remain behind the wheel, if it contains a restorative justice component. He'd also like to see Linden Boulevard redesigned with pedestrian safety upgrades and protected bike lanes, and supports a Vision Zero makeover for the irregular triangles at the confluence of Howard, Pitkin and East New York Avenues in Brownsville.

Robert Jackson, 31st Senate District, Manhattan (Challenger) – Jackson, who served for 12 years in the City Council, is challenging first-term State Senator Marisol Alcantera, who was a member of the Independent Democratic Conference that caucused with Republicans. Jackson is a backer of congestion pricing, and supports residential parking permits as a means of combatting the influx of park-and-ride drivers who routinely flood upper Manhattan. He also wants to see the city's lapsed speed camera program renewed and expanded, and is committed to pursuing improvements to the Hudson River Greenway.

Alessandra Biaggi, 34th Senate District, Bronx (Challenger) – Biaggi, a Bronx native who was Deputy National Operations Director for Hillary Clinton's 2016 Presidential run, is challenging Jeff Klein, who has led the Republican-caucusing Independent Democratic Conference for the past seven years. She's pledged support for a comprehensive congestion-pricing plan consistent with the Move NY and FixNYC proposals, and wants to see Albany pass legislation that would increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers. She will also advocate for reinstatement and an increase in the number of speed cameras authorized for New York City, as well as the elimination of restrictions governing their operation.

Brian Barnwell, 30th Assembly District, Queens (Incumbent) – Barnwell, one of the younger members of the Assembly, won his central Queens seat in 2016 by upsetting a long-term incumbent. He supports implementation of Select Bus Service on major avenues in Maspeth and Middle Village, and wants to see the city's school speed safety camera program renewed and expanded. He's also been working with the MTA to implement transit improvements in his district using state multi-modal transportation funds.

Catalina Cruz, 39th Assembly District, Queens (Challenger) – Cruz, the first DREAMer to run for office in New York State, is an attorney who served as Chief of Staff to former City Council Finance Chair Julissa Ferraras-Copeland. She's challenging Assemblymember Ari Espinal, who won her seat in an April special election. Cruz supports congestion pricing, and reinstatement and expansion of the city's speed camera program. She wants to see Select Bus Service implemented along Junction Boulevard, and supports passage of legislation that would increase penalties for drivers who flee crashes. She also believes that New York City should have control of the subways and city buses.

Robert Carroll, 44th Assembly District, Brooklyn (Incumbent) – Carroll, who won his Assembly seat in 2016 with StreetsPAC's backing, has quickly established himself as a transit and safe-streets champion. He's pledged to continue to lead the fight for passage of a comprehensive congestion-pricing plan, and is committed to working to bring runaway MTA capital costs in line with those of other major transit systems. He supports reinstatement and expansion of the city's speed camera effort, and will continue to advocate for legislation aimed at getting dangerous drivers off the road. Carroll does not have a primary opponent.

Ethan Lustig-Elgrably, 46th Assembly District, Brooklyn (Open Seat) – Lustig-Elgrably, running for the open seat in the 46th District, served as Legislative Director and Chief of Staff for City Council Member Mark Treyger prior to a stint at the Parks Department. He's committed to improving bus service in the district, especially along the B36 and B74 routes, and plans to advocate for expanded express subway service. He also views improved subway and bus accessibility as a key issue, including level boarding for buses.

Jo Anne Simon, 52nd Assembly District, Brooklyn (Incumbent) – Simon is running for election to a third term in the Assembly, where she serves on the Transportation Committee, and she's been an advocate for safe streets and better transit for decades. She's an original co-sponsor of the bill supporting the Move New York congestion-pricing plan, and is adamant about the need to reinstate and expand New York City's speed-camera program. In addition, Simon is the lead sponsor of a bill that would authorize the city of New York to establish a residential parking-permit system. Simon does not have a primary opponent.

Harvey Epstein, 74th Assembly District, Manhattan (Incumbent) – Epstein, who won a special election in April to succeed Brian Kavanagh in this east side district, is now running for a full term. Prior to winning office, he had built a distinguished career as a public-interest lawyer and community organizer. Epstein has already made his mark in Albany by introducing a bill that would remove caps on the number of bus-lane and red-light cameras in New York City, and he supports congestion pricing and the renewal and expansion of the city's speed-camera program. He's also an advocate for a robust plan for dealing with the impending L train shutdown.

We're just seven days away from New York's 2018 State primary election, and we need your help to ensure that the candidates we've endorsed win their races. You can sign up right here to volunteer with StreetsPAC, or click on the links at the end of each candidate bio below to volunteer directly with the campaign(s) of your choice.

Remember that this promises to be a low-turnout election, and every vote, and every door knocked on or phone call made, can make an enormous difference!

Last week, we endorsed five candidates for the State Senate and six candidates for the Assembly. In case you missed our announcement, read on for a closer look at the terrific candidates we're backing in September's primary. We hope you'll be inspired to volunteer with us to help their campaigns – you can sign up right now to do that here.