PRIMARY TOMORROW!
No. 284 | Monday, August 22, 2022
The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA.
Elections
Mayor Adams endorsed Conrad Tillard, a reverend with significant real estate backing, in his attempt to unseat DSA-endorsed State Senator Jabari Brisport (District 25, Central Brooklyn). Adams defended Tillard after revelations of antisemitic, homophobic, and anti-abortion statements in the reverend's past were brought to light. Mayor Adams is also endorsing State Senator Kevin Parker, meaning he has endorsed against nearly every DSA-endorsed candidate in 2022.
The Nation profiled DSA-endorsed David Alexis in his challenge to unseat State Senator Kevin Parker (District 21, Central Brooklyn).
Council Members Tiffany Cabán and Shahana Hanif endorsed Assembly Member Yuh Line Niou for Congress in NY-10. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams endorsed Council Member Carlina Rivera in NY-10.
State Senator Michael Gianaris (District 12, Western Queens) brokered a deal to convince Nomiki Konst to drop out of the Senate District 59 race and endorse Kristen Gonzalez.
All three candidates running to succeed Alessandra Biaggi in the Bronx's 34th Senate District oppose the construction of an affordable housing project on vacant land that would provide housing to critically ill former Rikers detainees.
The commission tasked with redrawing the City's council districts for next year's elections is taking public input through the end of August. Provisional districts unveiled last months showed the creation of the City's first district that would be majority Asian American, but such a district is generating criticism from some in the Asian American community who fear it could disrupt existing political coalitions.
Representative Carolyn Maloney faces ethical questions over her Congressional office's use of taxpayer-funded mailings ahead of her primary this month.
City Council Member Carlina Rivera (Lower Manhattan) has received over $24,000 in donations from New York City lobbyists during her current race for the House seat in New York's 10th District.
Recent polling and fundraising numbers in the special election to replace Antonio Delgado, who gave up his House seat to become Lieutenant Governor, shows a tightening race. The election will take place concurrently with tomorrow’s primaries.
The City outlines how Democratic party bosses use the process of "backfilling" to control local judicial elections.
Local News
A coalition of progressive groups sent a letter to Governor Hochul insisting that her nomination to replace Court of Appeals Chief Judge DiFiore not be a former prosecutor.
Cuts at the Department of Education may jeopardize "restorative justice" programs that seek to deal with disciplinary issues without resorting to suspensions or arrests.
A Broome County judge struck down the county jail's ban on in-person visitation, which had remained in effect since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Drought-like conditions have hit the tri-state area.
Trader Joe’s shut down their only wine store in New York right before workers were planning to unionize.
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