We’re excited to announce that SURJ NYC is endorsing two campaigns this year: Zohran Mamdani for Mayor and DREAM for NYC (Don’t Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor)! At last week’s chapter meeting, we approved a proposal encouraging everyone:
Rank Zohran #1 on your ranked-choice ballot for Mayor
Rank four more candidates
DON’T rank Andrew Cuomo at all
The Democratic primary is June 24th, with early voting starting on June 14th, so it’s time to hit the ground running!
For years, SURJ NYC and our accountability partners have been organizing around issues that are greatly impacted by the mayor. The office has many powers and responsibilities, from appointing heads of city agencies to negotiating and approving the city budget alongside the City Council. The mayor can also veto local laws enacted by the City Council. We’ve long recognized the power of the budget as a moral document and a statement of values that has real material effects on the lives of every New Yorker.
Andrew Cuomo’s campaign stands in direct opposition with our values as anti-racist voters. As governor, he faced sexual harassment accusations, covered up COVID-related deaths at nursing homes, repeatedly blocked tenant protections, and cut homelessness programs while rewarding his real estate donors with massive tax breaks. As mayor, he promises to increase the size of the NYPD and increase the use of involuntary commitment laws. That’s why we’re urging New Yorkers: don’t rank Cuomo on your ballot.
Zohran Mamdani, on the other hand, is running a campaign to meet the needs of working-class New Yorkers on a platform aligned with SURJ values and politics. With a decisive and growing lead in polling over other Democratic candidates, Mamdani is the strongest challenger to frontrunner Cuomo and our best shot at electing a progressive mayor. We encourage you to rank Zohran #1 on your ballot!
In a ranked choice voting election, it’s important to fill all spots on your ballot. Only rank candidates who you could live with if they won, with your first pick at the top. You can find some good explainers on the system from NYC Votes and The City. We’re endorsing Zohran for the #1 spot and encourage you to look to other values-aligned organizations that have endorsed other progressive candidates to fill out the rest of your ballot. Candidates endorsed by the Working Families Party, the United Auto Workers, JFREJ’s political arm The Jewish Vote, NYS Tenant Bloc, and Make the Road Action include Adrienne Adams, Brad Lander, Zellnor Myrie, and Jessica Ramos.
Rank Zohran #1, and fill your ballot with other progressive candidates who are not Cuomo!
So what’s next? Early voting starts in under five weeks, so it’s time to throw down for these campaigns!
Join SURJ NYC members to canvass for Zohran:
Join New Yorkers Against Cuomo every Thursday for an action outside the building he claims to live in, highlighting how Cuomo doesn’t actually live in New York City and doesn’t take accountability - even on the campaign trail. Sign up here to get connected.
Can’t make one of these dates? Fill out this form to let us know how you want to get involved. You can canvass or phonebank for the DREAM and Zohran campaigns, help out our communications team, or help us coordinate electoral work.
We’re excited about the possibilities of what the future of New York City could look like if we had a mayor who was truly aligned with our values. Let’s make it happen!
Onward,
SURJ NYC