With primaries coming in a few weeks, StreetsPAC today announced its first round of endorsements for state-level offices, and its first endorsements for candidates outside NYC.
NYC's first-ever livable streets political action committee threw its support to five candidates for the Assembly and State Senate.
“So much of what happens on the streets of New York City is dictated by actions, or inaction, in Albany,” said StreetsPAC board member Glenn McAnanama in a press release. “And more and more, people in places like Medford and Mattituck are interested in living in safely walkable and bikeable communities. We’re excited to put StreetsPAC’s backing behind candidates who are committed to safe streets, whether they be on the Upper West Side or downtown Riverhead.”
StreetsPAC supports Adriano Espaillat of Upper Manhattan for reelection to the State Senate, citing his support for lowering NYC's default speed limit and his advocacy for Select Bus Service on 125th Street. "Espaillat will continue the fight for full SBS implementation in his district, and plans to push to increase the number of speed cameras and end time-and-day restrictions," says the StreetsPAC press release. "He supports the MoveNY plan for fair tolling of New York City’s bridges and tunnels." Former City Council Member Robert Jackson is running against Espaillat in the District 31 primary.
In District 22, which covers Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, tech entrepreneur and Democrat James Kemmerer gets the StreetsPAC nod over incumbent Republican State Senator Marty Golden. Kemmerer's goals include getting cut-through traffic off residential streets, expanding car-free streets events and, on the transit front, improving elevator access to subways, modernizing train controls, and building better bus infrastructure, according to StreetsPAC. "Kemmerer would like to change the toll structure on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge," StreetsPAC says, "and has endorsed the MoveNY plan."
Pete Sikora is the StreetsPAC choice to succeed Assembly Member Joan Millman in brownstone Brooklyn District 52. Sikora is a political and legislative director for the Communications Workers of America and a former organizer for NYPIRG. Sikora backs the MoveNY plan, says StreetsPAC, and, "If elected, he will advocate for restoration of the B71 bus route, and Bus Rapid Transit on key routes in the 52nd District." Fellow Democrats Jo Anne Simon and Doug Biviano are also in the running for the District 52 seat.
StreetsPAC has endorsed Edward Hennessey, a Suffolk County Democrat and incumbent in Assembly District 3. A member of the Assembly transportation committee, Hennessey is the lead sponsor of legislation to increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers, and supports complete streets projects, including bike lanes and Safe Routes to Transit, according to StreetsPAC. Hennessey will face Republican Dean Murray in the general election.
In Suffolk County Assembly District 2, StreetsPAC likes Tom Schiliro, a teacher and Suffolk County Park Police officer. "Schiliro is a believer in lower speed limits in downtown and residential areas," says StreetsPAC, "and particularly in school zones." Schiliro wants stepped-up penalties for dangerous driving offenses, according to StreetsPAC, and would like bike lockers at more LIRR stations. He is challenging Republican Anthony Palumbo for the District 2 seat.
New York State primary elections will be held September 9, followed by the general election on November 4. StreetsPAC expects to issue more endorsements in the coming weeks and months.
