Will Progressives Be Kingmakers within the New York Mayor’s Race?

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Will Progressives Be Kingmakers within the New York Mayor’s Race?

“The socialist left is on the rise, significantly in neighborhoods the place Black and Latino residents are being gentrified out of existence,” men


“The socialist left is on the rise, significantly in neighborhoods the place Black and Latino residents are being gentrified out of existence,” mentioned Consultant Hakeem Jeffries, the chairman of the Home Democratic Caucus, who represents elements of Brooklyn and Queens and should turn into the primary Black Home speaker. “To the extent the success of the socialist left is partially tied to gentrifying neighborhoods, it stays to be seen how that may impression a citywide race.”

How left-wing activists and organizations will select to wield their affect is unclear. Had been all of the teams affiliated with the progressive motion to align behind one candidate, they might have a large impression on the race.

Thus far, they aren’t coalescing.

“There’s an enormous query of whether or not of us do,” mentioned Jonathan Westin, the manager director of New York Communities for Change. “I feel the candidate that is ready to cobble collectively all of these teams is the candidate that’s going to win.”

The New York Metropolis Democratic Socialists of America has endorsed six candidates for the Metropolis Council, a transfer that guarantees important organizational help. But it surely has but to make an endorsement within the mayoral race, and several other individuals affiliated with the group don’t count on it to.

“If we had a mayoral candidate who got here from the D.S.A., I feel that might have been one factor,” mentioned Susan Kang, a D.S.A. member and a professor at John Jay Faculty of Legal Justice. “We’re making an attempt to be very strategic in how we use our labor.”

One other complicating issue is the recognition of Scott Stringer, the town comptroller and a number one mayoral candidate, amongst some distinguished youthful progressive lawmakers. In 2018, Mr. Stringer endorsed a D.S.A. stalwart, Julia Salazar, in her race for State Senate over the incumbent, Martin Dilan. Ms. Salazar gained her race, and Mr. Stringer gained her endorsement for mayor, together with a number of different high-profile endorsements from progressives.

Mr. Stringer has additionally gained the backing of some key unions, together with most just lately the Communications Staff of America, an early supporter of Mayor Invoice de Blasio.





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