Primary Election Roundup

Jul 04, 2022

The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA.

Elections:

All of the incumbents on the DSA for the Many slate held on to their seats with commanding victories, including Phara Souffrant Forrest (District 57, Crown Heights), who faced a well-funded challenger backed by real estate and the Democratic establishment. Those same forces were more successful in fighting off DSA-backed insurgent candidates.
City and State interviewed DSA-endorsed Sarahana Shrestha after she defeated incumbent Kevin Cahill in the Democratic primary for the 103rd Assembly District (Kingston).
Several incumbent district leaders in Brooklyn lost their primaries to reformist challengers.
Primary turnout was down 45% from 2018, but still higher than previous gubernatorial primaries in New York.
Multiple establishment candidates in Queens, including Liz Crowley, were accused of submitting forged signatures to get on the ballot.
A lack of interpreters caused problems for non-English speakers at many polling sites, despite low turnout.

Albany’s “good cause” eviction law, the first of its kind in the state, was struck down in a decision that may lead to the overturning of similar legislation across New York and lead tenant advocacy groups to adjust their strategy for winning stronger rent laws.
In an emergency session, the state legislature extended mayoral control for city schools.
The legislature also approved the Equality Amendment and gun legislation to create new concealed carry requirements on Friday. The Equality Amendment would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution after a multi-step approval process that would end with a statewide vote.
The City looks at how Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (District 42, Flatbush) has run the Brooklyn Democratic machine since replacing Frank Seddio.
A 5-alarm fire in Williamsburg damaged Union Pool bar, a bodega, and a Peruvian restaurant early on Friday morning. No one was seriously hurt.
The Department of Correction delayed implementation of its already insufficient plan to limit the use of solitary confinement at Rikers Island. The humanitarian crisis continues despite years of pressure and officials’ promises to close the facility.
As summer kicks off, here’s a handy guide for finding free and accessible bathrooms in New York City.

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