The last time gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon endorsed a Queens candidate for public office, that hopeful — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — went on to score one of the borough’s biggest political upsets in history.
Nixon hopes that the same fate awaits state Senate candidate Jessica Ramos. The two candidates announced on July 9 that they’re cross-endorsing each other in their September Democratic primary battles. Ramos is running against the incumbent Jose Peralta in the 13th State Senate District, while Nixon is taking on New York’s current governor, Andrew Cuomo.
Nixon and Ramos made their announcements of support in front of the Queens Library at 35-51 81st St. this morning. In the past, both candidates have worked for the rights of women and immigrant communities, and have supported the passage of the Reproductive Health, Dream and Liberty Acts.
The progressive candidates have also dedicated themselves to reforming broken rent laws that push tenants out of their communities.
“As a product of our city’s public schools, a passionate advocate for immigrant families and a champion for reproductive freedom, I know Cynthia will never betray our city’s women, students and immigrants,” Ramos said. “For eight years, Andrew Cuomo has failed to deliver. Instead, he enabled, supported and encouraged Republican leadership in Albany — even after Donald Trump was elected. Enough is enough.”
“We have a bigot in the White House; we need real progressives in Albany,” Ramos said. “I look forward to joining Cynthia in Albany next year and finally codifying Roe v. Wade, providing undocumented immigrants driver’s licenses, and fully funding our public schools.”
The cross-endorsements came hours before President Trump was scheduled to announce his Supreme Court justice nomination to replace the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Many observers believe that the president’s choice, if confirmed by the Senate, would likely help to overturn the ruling in the 1973 case, Roe v. Wade, in which the Supreme Court declared that the unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional.
Ramos and Nixon charged that Peralta and Cuomo’s alliance with Senate Republicans and the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) was a “failure to protect reproductive rights in New York.” Progressive legislation such as the Reproductive Health Act and the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act passed the Democratic-controlled Assembly but was ultimately stopped in the Republican-controlled state Senate.
“It’s time for the Governor and Senator Peralta to stop gaslighting New York’s women. They made the choice to side with the Republicans again and again; and now our reproductive freedom is at risk with Donald Trump in the White House and Roe v. Wade hanging in the balance,” Nixon said.
On Twitter, Nixon posted a photo from today’s press conference and said that making women’s voices heard is more important than ever.
Excited to be teaming up with @jessicaramos, who is running against a member of the IDC. Thanks to Cuomo and the IDC, #RoevWade is not codified into state law. And with today’s #SCOTUS nomination, there’s never been a more important time for women to run and make ourselves heard. pic.twitter.com/eRZVHNdgh5
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) July 9, 2018
In addition to Ramos’ endorsement, Nixon has received endorsements from 21 local Democratic groups and individuals over the past two weeks, including Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer; Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic nominee for the 14th Congressional District; and former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. To date, over 40 entities have backed Nixon’s gubernatorial bid.
The state and local primary elections will take place on Sept. 13, with the winners advancing to the Nov. 6 general election.
