Make the Road Action Fund (MRAF) announced its endorsements for the 2014 statewide elections. MRAF, a grassroots advocacy organization representing Latino communities in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Long Island, today endorsed John Liu for State Senate District 11, Jose Peralta for State Senate District 13, Leroy Comrie for State Senate District 14 and Francisco Moya for State Assembly District 39. MRAF, the sister organization of the 14,000-member non-profit Make the Road New York, has become a central player in local elections and policy campaigns affecting Latino, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities across downstate New York. Their endorsement provides further strength to the coalition of labor groups, community leaders and grassroots activists backing these four candidates.
Javier H. Valdés, co-Executive Director of the Make the Road Action Fund, affirmed: “Today, our members are proud to announce our endorsements of John Liu, Senator Jose Peralta, Leroy Comrie, and Assemblyman Francisco Moya. These four progressive candidates have shown a deep understanding of the issues our communities face and a commitment to advance policy solutions that will address the needs of workers, immigrants, and LGBTQ New Yorkers, including increasing the minimum wage with local authorization, banning the use of condoms as evidence to arrest community members, and passing the DREAM Act.”
John Liu, candidate for State Senate District Eleven, said, “I’m proud to receive the support of Make the Road Action Fund, whose work with the Latino community and working-class families has made a positive difference in the lives of many New Yorkers. When I get to Albany, I’ll be relentless in my drive to get results and bring about reforms that have been blocked for too long by the Senate status quo, like passage of the DREAM Act. And with the help of my partners like Make the Road Action Fund, we’ll make the Senate work for working families across the state of New York.”
Senator Jose Peralta, candidate for re-election in State Senate District Thirteen, said, “I am incredibly proud to receive the endorsement of the Make the Road Action Fund, a model of grassroots dynamism and peerless champion for the rights of New Americans and justice for low-wage workers. MRAF stands at the forefront of the most important issues of our time: passing a real minimum wage increase with local control, ending discrimination against LGBTQ New Yorkers, cracking down on predatory employers who mistreat and steal from their workers, and enacting the DREAM Act into law. I look forward to continuing to partner with them as we work to move New York forward.”
Leroy Comrie, candidate for State Senate District Fourteen, said, “I am grateful to Make the Road Action Fund for their support. I identify with the very issues the advocates of MRAF fight for every day with unwavering dedication on behalf of the working families of New York such as affordable health care, increased education funding, the Dream Act and more. Make the Road and the voters of the 14h Senatorial district can trust that I will deliver in Albany on these core concerns and address the issues that matter most to our community.”
Assemblyman Francisco Moya, candidate for re-election in Assembly District Thirty-nine, said, “I am humbled and honored to receive the endorsement of The Make the Road Action Fund, an organization that is whole-heartedly committed to making New York a better place for all, regardless of your station at birth. The Make the Road Action Fund has been a powerful force behind the movement to improve the lives of immigrants, low-wage workers, middle class families, and New Yorkers of every stripe. Their work goes to very heart of what it means to be a progressive New Yorker and I proudly accept their endorsement.”
These candidates join Debbie Medina (State Senate District 18), Rubain Durance (State Senate District 20), Gustavo Rivera (State Senate District 33), Pete Sikora (State Assembly District 52), Kim Council (State Assembly District 54), Lori Boozer (State Assembly District 55), and Michael Blake (State Assembly District 79), whose endorsement by the Make The Road Action Fund was also announced today.
The endorsements of Gustavo Rivera (State Senate District 33), Lori Boozer (State Assembly District 55), and Michael Blake (State Assembly District 79) were done as part of the Progressive Power Coalition, an alliance of five of the largest and most visible community organizations in New York formed in 2013 to build progressive political power that will improve the lives of low-income communities, communities of color, and immigrants in New York.
Other candidates endorsed by the members of the Make The Road Action Fund earlier this election cycle include: In Brooklyn, Dell Smitherman (State Senate District 19); In Long Island, Congressman Tim Bishop (Congressional District 1), Kathleen Rice (Congressional District 4), Adrienne Esposito (State Senate District 3), Adam Haber (State Senate District 7), and Dave Denenberg (State Senate District 8), Assemblyman Phil Ramos (State Assembly District 6).
Make the Road Action Fund will continue to interview candidates for elected office in Staten Island, and will announce its of endorsements in the coming weeks.