The former Empire State senator and secretary of state unveiled her New York “Leadership Council” this morning, a collection of the state’s elected officials, activists, community, coalition and grassroots leaders and donors who have endorsed her for president. The Council will be charged with building a volunteer team and campaign operation to help Ms. Clinton win New York State in the Democratic primary, on April 19 and boasts many big names, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
Westchester County Democratic Chair Reginald A. Lafayette was among those asked to join the Hillary for NY Leadership Council.
“I commend the wisdom of the Hillary Clinton team in selecting Chairman Lafayette as a member of the Hillary for New York Leadership Council with his over forty years of experience in grassroots coalition building,” Kenneth Plummer, Principal of Kensworth Consulting tells BW. “I believe his advocacy on behalf of hard-working democrats to ensure that minorities and women are represented in the Westchester judicial system is one of his many great accomplishments. All Westchester residents regardless of race, color, religion or party affiliation have benefited from his insightful leadership.”
As the first woman senator from New York, Hillary knows first-hand the issues that matter most to this state. From fighting to address health care for first responders after September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to championing legislation to strengthen women’s rights, Hillary will build on her record to continue fighting for children and families.
The Leadership Council will serve as the in-state leadership for the campaign, amplifying the campaign’s national voice to New York families aiding the campaign with rapid response, organization building, grassroots organizing events, recruiting volunteer leaders, and identifying leaders for Get Out The Vote activities.
Leadership Council members share Clinton’s commitment to fighting for New York families, including raising wages for the middle class, her plan to reduce out-of-pocket health care costs and prescription drug costs, her passion for reforming the criminal justice system and her belief that debt should never be a barrier for students going to college and much more.
“Having known and worked with her for more than two decades, I know in my head and heart that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified and capable candidate to become our next President,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo. “Hillary’s record as a tireless fighter for middle class families, civil rights, and putting people over special interests make it clear that she will be a president who moves New York and our country forward.”
“For our nation to move forward as a stronger and fairer society we will need bold leadership, and that is exactly what we will get from Hillary Clinton,” said Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers. “I am proud to help Hillary as she campaigns for the Presidency because she is an outstanding public servant who has dedicated herself to improving the lives of her constituents and all Americans.”
“Hillary Clinton has been and is a consistent champion for everyday New Yorkers and Americans,” said Mayor Stephanie Miner of Syracuse. “She has a bold vision for this country and I am pleased to work with a team of dedicated public servants to share her progressive voice and record of effective leadership.”
“I am proud to be part of Hillary Clinton’s New York leadership council and value the opportunity to bring the issues facing New York workers into the conversation,” said George Miranda, Teamsters Joint Council 16 President. “We have seen decades of falling unionization, rising inequality, and disinvestment in infrastructure and the safety net. America needs a president who will be a champion for working people.”
“At no point in the fight for LGBT rights has the presidential election been more important,” said David Kilmnick, CEO of Equality Long Island. “The next president will chart the future for LGBT families to fully realize equality. Hillary’s genuine passion, advocacy, and leadership for equality and justice for all American families is why she can be our only choice for President.”
Over the course of the campaign, the Hillary for New York Leadership Council will continue to expand.
Members of the public can sign up at hillaryclinton.com/NewYork to get involved and receive more information about campaign events happening in New York.
Also joining the Hillary for New York Leadership Council today are:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman
US Senator Charles E. Schumer
US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
US Representative Yvette Clarke
US Representative Joseph Crowley
US Representative Eliot Engel
US Representative Brian Higgins
US Representative Steve Israel
US Representative Hakeem Jeffries
US Representative Nita Lowey
US Representative Carolyn Maloney
US Representative Sean Patrick Maloney
US Representative Gregory Meeks
US Representative Grace Meng
US Representative Jerrold Nadler
US Representative Charles B. Rangel
US Representative Kathleen Rice
US Representative Jose Serrano
US Representative Louise Slaughter
US Representative Paul Tonko
US Representative Nydia Velazquez
State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Democratic Leader
State Senator Michael Gianaris, Deputy Democratic Leader
State Assemblyman Carl Heastie, Speaker
State Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper, Deputy Speaker
State Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, Majority Leader
State Assemblyman Herman “Denny” Farrell, DNC
State Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, New York County Democratic Chair
State Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Bronx County Democratic Chair
State Assemblyman N. Nick Perry, Black & Puerto Rican Caucus Chair
State Assemblywoman Annette Robinson
State Assemblyman David Buchwald
State Assemblywoman JoAnne Simon
State Assemblyman Phil Ramos
New York City Public Advocate Letitia “Tish” James
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer
New York City Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito
City Council Member Stephen Levin
City Council Member Margaret Chin
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone
Ulster County Executive Mike Hein
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, DNC
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan
Hempstead Mayor Wayne Hall Sr.
Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick
Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Suffolk County Democratic Chair
Town of Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth
Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams, Minority Leader
Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby
Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Lee Seeman
David N. Dinkins, 106th Mayor, City of New York
Carolyn McCarthy, Former US Representative
Timothy Bishop, Former US Representative
Jerry Jennings, Former Mayor of Albany
Christine Quinn, Former New York City Council Speaker
Reverend Floyd H. Flake, Greater Allen AME Cathedral
Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, Abyssinian Baptist Church
Michael Mulgrew, President, UFT
Karen Magee, President, NYSUT
Gary LaBarbera, President, Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
Greg Lancette, President, Central-Northern New York Building & Construction Trades Council
Steve McInnis, President, NYC District Council of Carpenters
George Miranda, President, Teamsters Joint Council 16
Henry Garrido, Executive Director, District Council 37
Ernest Logan, President, Council of Supervisors & Administrators
Fran Turner, Political Director, CSEA
DaVon Lomax, Political Director, District Council 9 New York IUPAT
Ron Warner, International Association of Machinists
Carlo Scissura, President & CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Professor Rhea Jezer, Ph. D., Symposium on Energy in the 21st Century
David Kilmnick, CEO, Equality Long Island
Brette McSweeney, Eleanor’s Legacy
Hazel Dukes, NYS NAACP
Tonio Burgos, DNC
Maria Cuomo Cole, DNC
Sheila Comar, DNC, Washington County Democratic Chair
Jennifer Cunningham, DNC
Barbaralee Diamonstein Spielvogel, DNC
Emily Giske, DNC
Jay Jacobs, DNC, Nassau County Democratic Chair
Sarah Kovner, DNC
Dennis Rivera, DNC
Gerry Sweeney, DNC
Robert Zimmerman, DNC
Judith Hope, Former Chair, New York State Democratic Committee
Trudy L. Mason, Vice Chair, New York State Democratic Committee
Frank Seddio, Kings County Democratic Chair
Jeremy Zellner, Erie County Democratic Chair
Marvin Brance McMoore
Michael Corbett
Bryan Ball, President, Western NY Stonewall Democrats
Kevin Law
Silda Wall Spitzer
Suzy Ballantyne
Heather Beaudoin
Bertha Lewis
Jerry H. Goldfeder
Patrick Jenkins
David Pollak
Jack Mannion
Ramon Martinez
Tracey Brooks
Leecia Eve
Karen Persichilli Keogh
Cathy Calhoun
Resi Cooper
Chrstine Falvo
Robin Chappelle Golston
