People’s Action Announces Endorsement of 22 Candidates Nationwide
Zephyr Teachout, Sara Niccoli and Gustavo Rivera Among National Group’s Progressive Slate
New York – People’s Action, a new national organization of more than a million people working with 48 local grassroots organizations across 29 states, announced its endorsement of Zephyr Teachout for Congress, and Sara Niccoli and Gustavo Rivera for State Senate. People’s Action is the national affiliate of Citizen Action of New York.
The endorsement is part of People’s Action’s national progressive slate of 22 candidates running for positions from local school boards to state legislative bodies to the U.S. Senate.
By endorsing Teachout, Niccoli, and Rivera, People’s Action is signaling the importance of these races for advancing progressive issues nationally. As part of People’s Action 22, Teachout, Niccoli and Rivera are included alongside a slate of rising stars, building on the progressive political revolution ignited by Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.
They’ll join with other local candidates who are committed to fighting for people instead of corporations; standing up for racial and gender justice; working for a fair economy, and climate justice.
Ivette Alfonso, President of Citizen Action of New York, said: “We’re fighting for a strong democracy that represents people, not CEO campaign donors. Zephyr, Sara and Gustavo have worked tirelessly to advance the issues most important to our communities. We’re proud to have these three candidates highlighted as part of the People’s Action 22.”
Other members of the People’s Action 22 include:
- Gina Melaragno, in Maine, who was inspired to run for state representative by her own experience with lack of health care access.
- Pramila Jayapal, a Washington state senator is a candidate for Congress, who founded Hate Free Zone (now OneAmerica) in response to hate and discrimination after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
- LaTonya Johnson, candidate for state senate in Wisconsin, owned and operated a child care center for 10 years, caring for Milwaukee’s poorest children and their parents, struggling to cover their basic needs.
“While the presidential election has often been dispiriting, there is tremendous hope down-ballot, with candidates from within our movement fighting for a just economy and a democracy that works for everyone,” said George Goehl, co-executive director of People’s Action. “Each of these candidates represents the world we believe is possible, one where everyone has what they need to reach their full potential. With these down-ballot candidates, we have a start on creating the world as it should be.”
Complete List of People’s Action 22: Our slate of 2016 endorsed candidates
Russ Feingold, Wisconsin, U.S. Senate
Christina Hartman, Pennsylvania, U.S. House of Representatives District 16
Pramila Jayapal, Washington, U.S. House of Representatives, District 7
Zephyr Teachout, New York, U.S. House of Representatives, District 19
Heidi Brooks, Maine, State House of Representatives District 61
Mari Cordes, Vermont, House of Representatives, Addison, District 4
Arturo Fierro, New Mexico, State House of Representatives District 7
Lauren Freedman, Michigan, Kalamazoo School Board
Kim Foxx, Illinois, Cook County, State’s Attorney
LaTonya Johnson, Wisconsin, State Senate District 6
Denise Lopez, Nevada, Sparks City Council Ward 1
Theresa Mah, Illinois, State House of Representatives, District 2
Gina Melaragno, Maine, State House of Representatives District 62
Sara Niccoli, New York, State Senate, District 46
Ilhan Omar, Minnesota, State House of Representatives District 60B
Chris Rabb, Pennsylvania, State House of Representatives District 200
Jamie Raskin, Maryland, Congressional District 8
Gustavo Rivera, New York, State Senate District 33
Alejandro Urrutia, New Hampshire, State House of Representatives District Hillsborough 37
Andru Volinsky, New Hampshire, Executive Council Dist. 2
Mandy Wright, Wisconsin, State Assembly, District 85
David Zuckerman, Vermont, Lieutenant Governor
People’s Action is a powerful new force for democracy and economic fairness. From family farms to big cities, from coast to coast, we’re fighting for community over greed, justice over racism, and people and planet over big corporations.
Citizen Action of New York is a grassroots, community organization with over 30,000 members across New York State. The organization works on issues important to our communities, including limiting the influence of money in politics, guaranteeing livable wages and economy-boosting jobs, quality public education for all children, reforms to the criminal justice system, and more. Citizen Action endorses candidates for public office who support the same vision for a New York that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.
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