Community News
Maloney's Pick
for State Senate
BY JENNA BAGCAL
Congres swoman
Carolyn Maloney
announced on
Thursday her en-dorsement
of State
Senate candidate
Jessica Ramos over the incumbent
and former Independent Democratic
Conference (IDC) member Jose Per-alta.
Maloney’s endorsement may
come as a surprise to some, as
the congresswoman previously
backed Peralta during his 2010
campaign for NY-13 senator. But
in her endorsement, she said that
Ramos would not “turn her back
on the Democratic Party” in ref-erence
24 AUGUST 2018 I LIC COURIER I www.qns.com
to Peralta’s former IDC
status.
“As Trump packs the Supreme
Court with radical conservatives, we
need progressive leaders in Albany
now more than ever to protect labor,
LGBTQ, and reproductive rights,” said
Maloney. “Jessica Ramos is a public
school parent, a pro-choice champion,
and a strong labor advocate—and she
will fight tirelessly for working families
in Albany. I know Jessica will stay
true to her progressive values and
that she will never turn her back on
the Democratic Party, that is why I’m
proud to endorse Jessica Ramos for
State Senate.”
From the beginning of her cam-paign,
Ramos had been a staunch
Peralta critic, condemning him for
joining the IDC and blocking pro-gressive
legislation for groups like
DREAMers and women. Back in
February, Peralta defended his IDC
membership to QNS and highlighted
legislation supported by the group
that was able to pass in the Senate.
Such legislation included raising the
minimum wage, passing paid family
leave and establishing a defense fund
for immigrants.
“As a leader on women’s issues
and advocate for Dreamers, Con-gresswoman
Maloney knows that the
people of NY- 13 need someone who
will fight for them in Albany, not some-one
who will empower Republicans—
and I’m thrilled to have her support,”
said Ramos. “For years, Jose Peralta
empowered Republicans in the State
Senate and helped block progressive
legislation like the DREAM Act and
Reproductive Health Act. I’m going
to Albany to fix our subways, protect
affordable housing, and fully fund our
public schools—and I look forward
to partnering with Congresswoman
Maloney to fight for working families
across this city.”
Recently, the grassroots candidate
exchanged endorsements with can-didate
for governor Cynthia Nixon.
The Democratic primary between
Peralta and Ramos is on Sept. 13.
The winner of the primary will go on
to the Nov. 6 general election.
Photo via Shutterstock
/www.qns.com
