SDNYC withdraws Ydanis Rodriguez Endorsement

In July 2017, Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC (SDNYC) voted to endorse Ydanis Rodriguez, a candidate seeking reelection to represent Council District 10 in the 2017 Municipal Elections. However, after learning of Rodriguez's recent endorsement of Ruben Diaz, Sr.'s campaign for NYC Council, SDNYC scheduled a special meeting on 8/17/17 to review it's endorsement decision.

 

After hearing from Rodriguez at the special meeting, reviewing his 2017 SDNYC candidate questionnaire, and discussing his track record on supporting LGBT New Yorkers, the Club determined that Rodriguez had misrepresented his position on supporting candidates who work against LGBT equality in his questionnaire, and that his support for Diaz, Sr. was unacceptable. As a result, SDNYC withdrew its endorsement.

 

Although Rodriguez has historically been a friend of the Club, SDNYC was deeply troubled and disappointed in his decision to stand by his endorsement of Diaz, Sr., despite the strong rebuke from his constituents and the LGBT community at large. While SDNYC has rescinded its endorsement, the Club remains steadfast in urging Rodriguez to withdraw his support for Diaz, Sr. immediately and to apologize to the LGBT community.

 

The Club does not relish calling out its friends by name but we will not hesitate to continue hold all those who advance the political ambitions of bigoted candidates accountable for their actions. SDNYC has been clear that it is unconscionable for those who claim to be our allies to support candidates who actively work against the equality for the LGBT community and SDNYC's decision to withdraw its endorsement of Rodriguez is consistent with the Club's ongoing commitment to being vocal in calling out those who choose to stand by candidates like Diaz, Sr., instead of standing up for the rights of LGBT New Yorkers.

SPECIAL MEETING TO REVIEW SDNYC ENDORSEMENT OF NYC COUNCIL MEMBER YDANIS RODRIGUEZ

Meeting Information:

  • DATE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017
  • TIME: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
  • LOCATION: The LGBT Center, 208 W 13th Street, Manhattan

As you may have seen reported in the press earlier this week, NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez recently endorsed Ruben Diaz, Sr.’s campaign to represent City Council District 18 in the Bronx.
 
Rodriguez is running for reelection to represent Council District 10 in Manhattan and received SDNYC’s endorsement in late July. Prior to voting to endorse Rodriguez, SDNYC’s Membership reviewed his response to our Club’s 2017 candidate questionnaire, in which Rodriguez answered “no” to the following question: “Have you or would you in the future, endorse or financially support any candidate for public office or current elected official with a track record of working against LGBT equality?”

Rodriguez’s endorsement of Diaz, Sr. is inconsistent with his response to this question. As has been well documented, Diaz Sr. has consistently worked against the LGBT communitythroughout his tenure in NY politics and he is continuing to espouse discriminatory, bigoted and misogynistic points of view as candidate in the Council District 18 primary election.

Therefore, pursuant to the Club’s Bylaws, we will be reviewing SDNYC’s endorsement of Rodriguez at a special meeting scheduled for this Thursday, August 17th from 6:30-7:30 at the LGBT Center in Manhattan.
 
At Thursday’s meeting eligible SDNYC Members** will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not the Club should withdraw its endorsement of Rodriguez. In the event the number voting Members attending the meeting does not constitute a quorum, the Members of the SDNYC Board will hold a vote to determine whether or not to withdraw the Club’s endorsement. The Club’s endorsement decision will be shared on SDNYC’s website, Facebook page and twitter feed shortly after ballots are counted and confirmed.

Please email us with any questions in advance of Thursday’s meeting and we hope you will join us as we review this important endorsement decision.

---

*SDNYC Bylaws:
The Bylaws state that the Club may review whether to withdraw its endorsement if “new information is revealed regarding a candidate that is inimical to the purposes of the Club,…the candidate publicly changes a position on an issue of importance to the Club, or it becomes apparent that the Membership was not fully informed about the candidate’s positions on issues of importance to the Club.” (The full text of SDNYC’s constitution and bylaws is available on our website.)

 
**Eligibility to Vote at SDNYC's Meeting on August 17th:

  • Individuals who have been dues paying Members of SDNYC in 2016 or 2015, are eligible to vote at the August 17th meeting so long as they have paid the Club's 2017 dues before casting their ballot (payment can submitted online in advance or in person at the August 17th meeting).
  • Individuals who were not dues paying Members of SDNYC in 2016 or 2015, must have paid the Club's 2017 Membership dues on or before May 20th to be eligible to vote at the August 17th meeting.

 To pay 2017 dues and find out more about becoming a Member visit:
www.SDNYC.org/membership

SDNYC 2017 Endorsement Announcement

Tonight SDNYC's membership reviewed requests from more than 70 candidates seeking the Club's endorsement in the 2017 municipal elections, including the 45+ candidates that attended this evening's endorsement meeting to speak directly with our members about their commitment to the LGBT community and we are pleased to announce that our members voted to endorse the following candidates:

* Mayor -- Bill de Blaiso

* Public Advocate -- Letitia James

* Comptroller -- Scott Stringer

* Bronx Borough President-- Ruben Diaz, Jr.

* Manhattan Borough President -- Gale Brewer

* Queens Borough President -- Melinda Katz

* Staten Island Borough President -- Thomas E Shcherbenko

* Brooklyn District Attorney -- Eric Gonzalez

* Manhattan District Attorney --Cy Vance

* Council District 1 -- Margaret Chin

* Council District 2 -- Carlina Rivera

* Council District 3 -- Corey Johnson

* Council District 4 -- Keith Powers

* Council District 5 -- Ben Kallos

* Council District 6 -- Helen Rosenthal

* Council District 7 -- Mark Levine

* Council District 8 -- Diana Ayala

* Council District 9 -- Bill Perkins

* Council District 10 -- Ydanis Rodriguez

* Council District 11 -- Andy Cohen

* Council District 12 -- Karree-Lyn Gordon

* Council District 13 -- Marjorie Velazquez

* Council District 14 -- Randy Abreu

* Council District 15 -- Ritchie Torres

* Council District 16 -- Vanessa Gibson

* Council District 17 -- Raphael Salamanca

* Council District 18 -- Elvin Garcia

* Council District 19 -- Paul Vallone

* Council District 20 -- Alison Tan

* Council District 21 -- Francicsco P. Moya

* Council District 22 -- Costa Constantinides

* Council District 23 -- Barry Grodenchik

* Council District 24 -- Rory Lancman

* Council District 25 -- Danny Dromm

* Council District 26 -- Jimmy Van Bramer

* Council District 28 -- Richard David

* Council District 29 -- Karen Koslowitz

* Council District 30 -- Elizabeth Crowley

* Council District 31 -- Donovan Richards

* Council District 33 -- Steve Levin

* Council District 34 -- Antonio Reynoso

* Council District 35 -- Laurie Cumbo

* Council District 38 -- Carlos Menchaca

* Council District 39 -- Brad Lander

* Council District 40 -- Brian Cunningham

* Council District 41 -- Alicka Ampry Samuel

* Council District 43 -- Keven Peter Carroll

* Council District 51 -- Dylan Schwartz

SDNYC Endorsement Meeting Tomorrow!

ENDORSEMENT MEETING TOMORROW
July 26 | 7:30 PM | LGBT Center

Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, July 26th at SDNYC's 2017 endorsement meeting. The meeting will be from 7:30-9:30pm at the LGBT Center in Manhattan. Click here to RSVP to attend (not required) and to share our meeting information on Facebook.


During this meeting, candidates, current elected officials and members of SDNYC's Board of Directors will have an opportunity to briefly address our membership. Following these remarks, eligible SDNYC members will be able to vote for the candidates they recommend SDNYC endorse.

See below for more information about SDNYC's endorsement process and contact us with any questions.

  • Qualifying for Inclusion on SDNYC's Endorsement Ballot:

Candidates qualified for inclusion on SDNYC's ballot by being a incumbent that was endsorsed by SDNYC during their most recent election OR by submitting our 2017 Candidate Questionnaire.

 

  • Eligibility to Vote at SDNYC's July 26th Meeting:
    • Individuals who have been dues paying members of SDNYC in 2016 or 2015, are eligible to vote so long as they have paid the Club's 2017 dues before casting their ballot (payment can submitted online or in person at the July 26th meeting).
    • Individuals who were not dues paying members of SDNYC in 2016 or 2015, must have paid the Club's 2017 membership dues on or beforeMay 1st to be eligible to vote at the July 26th endorsement meeting. 

To pay 2017 dues and find out more about becoming a member visit: 
www.SDNYC.org/membership
 

  • Endorsement Ballot: 
    • The ballot distributed at the July 26th meeting will include the following for each municipal office under consideration for endorsement:
      • If applicable, the name of the incumbent candidate, provided that candidate received SDNYC's endorsement the most recent election for their current office.
      • The name(s) of candidates who have submitted SDNYC's online questionnaire by the July 24th deadline.
      • A line for a write in candidate's name.


Please contact us with any questions & we hope to see you at SDNYC's endorsement meeting tomorrow!