Feb. 1, 2017 By Hannah Wulkan
State Senator Jose Peralta is hosting a town hall meeting later this week to address his decision to leave the Democratic Party to join a breakaway group.
Peralta announced his decision last week, stating that he is leaving the Democratic Party to join the Independent Democratic Conference in the hopes that he can better “affect progressive change on issues.”
Amidst concerns from his constituents, however, Peralta is holding a town hall on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Center of Jackson Heights at 37-06 77th Street to speak on his decision and try to assuage any anxieties.
“I want to make clear that I am not a Republican, that I am not siding with the Republicans. I continue to be a progressive Democrat, like I have been for my whole political career. In this new era of Trumpism, I cannot sit on the sidelines any longer, I need to bring real results for my community,” Peralta said in a statement today.
“I also want to tell my constituents what my legislative priorities will be, including fighting for homelessness reform, affordable housing, school funding, senior citizen protections, higher education, among others,” he added.
The IDC is a group comprised of breakaway Democratics who have been elected to the State Senate. With Peralta joining its ranks, the IDC now has a total of eight members in the 63-member chamber.
The IDC has joined forces with the GOP and have formed a majority coalition.
