Introduction
The Empire State Pride Agenda is the statewide, bi-partisan civil rights and political advocacy organization dedicated to winning equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers and our families. We are committed to seizing all opportunities in the political and legislative processes to advance our public policy goals and pursue our public policy agenda. Electing and appointing LGBT supporters at all levels of government, educating political candidates and endorsing and providing campaign assistance to those who support our public policy agenda are important tools we use to achieve our goals. We believe that by supporting candidates for elected office, we can increase the number of allies in government, solidify the commitment of current allies and hold opponents accountable.
Endorsement Criteria
When deciding whether to endorse in a particular race, the Pride Agenda considers a number of factors including whether the endorsement furthers our public policy agenda, allows for coalition building with strategic allies, results in significant community or capacity building within the LGBT community, contributes to the election of LGBT candidates, and allows for specific public education on an issue of importance or has the potential to influence the outcome of an election.
We make our specific endorsement decisions based on responses to the Pride Agenda candidate questionnaire, an examination of a candidate's voting record (for those who have previously held elective office) and the voting record of their opponent, a review of his or her public acts and statements and consultations with other organizations throughout New York State, including local LGBT organizations. Non-incumbents are evaluated based upon the criteria above as well as the viability of their campaign.
About Our 2008 Primary Endorsements
The Empire State Pride Agenda has endorsed five candidates for the 2008 Primary Elections on September 9. Endorsed candidates stated their support for all the issues at the top of our public policy agenda including: the ability to legally marry in New York; prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and expression; protecting students from bias harassment; and, increasing the availability of state funding for community based organizations providing LGBT-specific health and human services. Click here to view our candidate questionnaire and the range of issues about which candidates were asked.
Many elected officials who are friends of the LGBT community are not profiled in this voter guide because they have no primary opposition and are not on the September 9 primary ballot. These candidate races will be profiled in the Pride Agenda's General Election Voter Guide issued in October.
Get Involved
The Pride Agenda urges everyone to volunteer, contribute to, and vote for these deserving candidates on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Those wishing to volunteer their time with the Pride Agenda on Election Day or on campaigns leading up to the primary should contact Wazina Zondon at wzondon@prideagenda.org or 212-627-0305.
2008 Primary Election Endorsements:
Senate District 21 (Brooklyn) – Kevin Parker (D-WFP) WON PRIMARY!
Senator Parker is the incumbent for this seat, having served four terms in the New York State Senate. He is a strong supporter of the LGBT community and votes correctly on all of our issues. He is also a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, and Dignity for All Students. Senator Parker has been endorsed by Working Families Party and United Federation of Teachers. His challengers are New York City Councilmembers Kendall Stewart, who is against marriage equality, and Simcha Felder, who is against marriage equality and has voted a number of times against pro-LGBT legislation in New York City, including a bill protecting transgender people from discrimination. The Pride Agenda is proud to stand by Kevin Parker’s longstanding record of support and endorse him to continue to represent the 21st Senate District.
Assembly District 6 (Suffolk County) – Philip Ramos (D-I-WFP) WON PRIMARY!
Assemblymember Ramos is the incumbent for this seat, having served three terms in the New York State Assembly. He is a strong supporter of the LGBT community and votes correctly on all of our issues. He is also a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill and Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act. Assemblymember Ramos has been endorsed by the Independence Party, NYSUT, and the Working Families Party. The Pride Agenda is proud to stand by Philip Ramos’ longstanding record of support and endorse him to continue to represent the 6th Assembly District.
Assembly District 64 (Manhattan) – Sheldon Silver (D-WFP) WON PRIMARY!
Assembly Speaker Silver is the incumbent for this seat, having served a total of sixteen terms in the New York State Assembly, with seven terms as Assembly Speaker. He is a strong supporter of the LGBT community and votes correctly on all of our issues. As Speaker, he has played a pivotal role in making sure LGBT legislation such as the marriage equality bill, Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, and Dignity for All Students Act has come to the Assembly floor for a vote. Under his leadership, the Assembly has also provided millions of dollars to fund the important work of community-based LGBT health and human services providers. Speaker Silver has been endorsed by United Federation of Teachers and the Working Families Party. The Pride Agenda is proud to stand by Sheldon Silver’s longstanding history of support and endorse him to continue to represent the 64th Assembly District.
Assembly District 72 (Manhattan) – Adriano Espaillat (D) WON PRIMARY!
Assemblymember Espaillat is the incumbent for this seat, having served six terms in the New York State Assembly. He is a strong supporter of the LGBT community and votes correctly on all of our issues. He is also a co-sponsor of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and Dignity for All Students Act. Assemblymember Espaillat has been endorsed by the United Federation of Teachers and the Working Families Party. The Pride Agenda is proud to stand by Adriano Espaillat’s longstanding record of support and endorse him to continue to represent the 72nd Assembly District.
Assembly District 144 (Buffalo) – Sam Hoyt (D-I-WFP) WON PRIMARY!
Assemblymember Hoyt is the incumbent for this seat, having served eight terms in the New York State Assembly. He is a strong supporter of the LGBT community and votes correctly on all of our issues. He is also a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, and Dignity for All Students, and he has voted to secure millions of dollars in state funding for groups like AIDS Community Services, Gay and Lesbian Youth Services, Pride Center of Western New York and other programs that directly benefit LGBT people. Assemblymember Hoyt has been endorsed by the Buffalo Building Trades, SEIU, Stonewall Democrats of Western New York, and the Working Families Party. The Pride Agenda is proud to stand by Sam Hoyt’s longstanding record of support and endorse him to continue to represent the 144th Assembly District.