The Village Independent Democrats held its Candidate Forum and Endorsement Meeting on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Greenwich House. The Forum was held in conjunction with Downtown Independent Democrats and was co-chaired by DID President Jeanne Wilcke and VID President Jonathan Geballe. There was an impressive turnout of candidates, including candidates for Civil Court and Surrogate’s Court.
We were pleased to hear from Congressman Jerry Nadler, State Senator Tom Duane and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, among many others. Sean Gavin appeared for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and we also heard from Scott Noren, M.D., who is running for NY State Senator as an Independent Democrat, but who is not a candidate in the primary.
Because we shared the forum with DID certain candidates outside our district also appeared or were represented: Councilmember Rosie Mendez appeared to speak on behalf of Congressmember Nydia Velazquez, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney was represented, State Senator Daniel Squadron was represented, and State Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh appeared, along with Rachel Lavine and Arthur Schwartz from the NY Democratic State Committee.
After the forum, VID endorsed the following – please note the three primary election dates for these candidates:
President: Barack Obama – The Presidential Primary Election is on April 24,2012; the last day to register for this primary is March 30,2012
The Federal Candidate Primary is on June 26, 2012; the last day to register to vote in this primary is June 1, 2012
US Senator: Kirsten Gillibrand
Congressmember: Carolyn Maloney
Congressmember: Jerrold Nadler
The New York State Democratic Candidate Primary is September 11, 2012; the last day to register to vote in this primary is August 17, 2012
NY State Senator: Tom Duane
NY State Assemblymember: Deborah Glick
NY Democratic State Committeeperson: Rachel Lavine
Judicial Candidate: Rita Mella (Surrogate’s Court)
Judicial Candidates: Verna Saunders and Melissa Crane (Civil Court, Countywide)
Judicial Candidate: Debra Rose Samuels (Civil Court, 2nd District)