Lourdes Ventura Considers Bid for Queens Assembly D38

The Queens Courier reports that seven individuals are ready to compete for the open seat in the State Assembly's 38th District (Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Middle Village).

The seat was most recently occupied by Anthony Seminerio who resigned last month following an indictment on corruption charges.

Among those said to be considering a run is Lourdes Ventura, currently the Counsel for Latino and Immigrant Affairs for State Senator Malcolm Smith. An assistant attorney general and former prosecutor, Ventura, was recognized last year as a “Rising Star” in Queens County.

The daughter of Dominican immigrants, Ventura grew up as the oldest of three children and recalls that one of her earliest obstacles was the language barrier. “I remember being in my first-grade classroom and how difficult it was,” she says, “because I didn’t know English at all even though I was born and raised in Queens.” UB Today: Lourdes Ventura

Ventura was an associate at the Long Island-based law firm of Ahmuty, Demers, and McManus and a former president of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County.

She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo where she obtained her BA, MSW and JD degrees. Ventura resides in Queens with her husband and son.

Meet Alfonso Quiroz - Queens City Council Candidate, D25

Update: 6.5.09 - Alfonzo Quiroz, who had hoped that the term limit override would be ruled illegal, has pulled out of the race given that final appeals have been lost in that case.

On September 15, 2009, the people of Jackson Heights, Corona (including Lefrak City and Sherwood Village), Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and Rego Park have the chance to send a Latino to the City Council: Alfonso Quiroz.

Like Obama, Alfonso is a community organizer from the South Side of Chicago. A fourth-generation American of Mexican, German and Ukrainian descent, Alfonso grew up in a middle-class, union family; his dad was a Steelworker union member.

When he was 22, Alfonso served as a White House Intern during the Clinton Administration in the office of Hillary Clinton. In 2000, Alfonso served as a political aide in Vice President Al Gore’s presidential campaign.

After the 2000 presidential race, Alfonso settled in Queens and learned about city government as a member of Mark Green’s 2001 mayoral campaign. He subsequently worked for MTV News and then in the office of current City Council Member Helen Sears. After leaving Sears’s staff, Alfonso took a PR assignment with ConEd.

In June 2008, Alfonso was sworn in to a second term on the Queens Community Board 3. He is also a member of the Citizens Advice Bureau, the JFK Democratic Club, the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York and is active in the Jackson Heights Beautification Group.

Links:
Star Of Queens
Gay Candidate Series: Alfonso Quiroz
Alfonso Quiroz: JFK Democratic Club City Council Candidates Night

Tom Suozzi Seeks 3rd Term: Promises a Property Tax Revolution

Tom Suozzi kicked off his bid for a third term as Nassau County Executive with a spirited call for a property tax revolution.

Billing himself as a problem-solver, Suozzi credits his administration with stabilizing the county's finances and cleaning up brownfields. But, he says, property taxes are still a major problem.

Suozzi's gameplan:

• make the governments in Nassau more efficient including consolidating governments
• expand the tax base by getting projects the like the Lighthouse Project and the Coliseum built
• fight for Nassau's 'fair share' of state aid
• Stop costly state mandates

What's interesting is that Suozzi is both a seasoned executive as well as one of New York's most promising politicians. He's also one of the most Latino-friendly political leaders in the state.


Links:
TomSuozzi.com
Friends of Suozzi - Youtube

Jon Cooper's Excellent Adventure

Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper tied the knot recently with long-time partner Rob in a ceremony in Connecticut.

What's Cooper's next adventure?

To decide whether he has enough political juice to prevail in a Democratic Party primary for the U.S. Senate. He's now formed an exploratory committee. To win Cooper would have to not only defeat possible contenders Carolyn McCarthy, Jerold Nadler and Carolyn Maloney, but take down incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand as well.

Pundits discount Cooper's chances of winning the Democratic Party's nomination. After all, Gillibrand has the support of Chuck Schumer, David Paterson and Hillary Clinton and other establishment types. And all of the other contenders have higher profiles by virtue of their jobs as members of Congress.

On the contrary, Cooper is a nearly perfect antagonist to Gillibrand. Here's why:

1) He's a genuine Progressive in a deep blue state. Gillbrand is not. And while the other possible contenders can claim long records of moderate to liberal voting records, none can match Cooper's appeal to the Democrat's progressive base.

2) In a head-to-head contest, Gillibrand probably wins with the support of the party machine. However, if it's a three or four way split, Cooper can win with a plurality.

3) Only Cooper's entry neutralizes the Clinton-Schumer factor. These two pols were big supporters of Gillibrand, but Cooper--as Obama's man in NY--would have the benefit of the Obama campaign operation. It's a largely grassroots operation that is still in place, truly progressive, energetic, and ready to go. He's likely to also receive support -- although not an endorsement -- from President Obama.

4) While McCarthy, Maloney and Nadler are formidable fund raisers, and Gillibrand's big ace was raising big bucks, Cooper has his own money. More importantly, he has the appeal and capacity to tap into a national progressives network to fuel his campaign. There's a thirst for electing true progressives. People also want new, fresh faces. That's why Cooper's Washington inexperience and new face at the statewide level are net pluses.

Think Paul Wellstone.

5) Cooper could quickly garner support from the African American, Latino, Gay/Lesbian, student and progressive activist communities. He could match Gillibrand with suburban democrats. And he could out point anyone on business related issues and the stresses on local governments.

6) Finally, as a legislator at the county level, Cooper is best situated to appeal to his fellow colleagues in urban and suburban legislatures and councils -- neutralizing Gillibrand's Albany-centered advantages.

At the end of the day, it's possible Cooper decides he's not interested in the seat. And Gillibrand could still emerge as the darling of both moderates and progressives, erasing Cooper's path. Cooper could also bow out for an ambassadorship. Who knows?

However, if Cooper runs my sense is that -- if done right -- he could be the dark horse in the race and win the nomination. If he could do that, he'd have so much momentum that defeating any GOP retread (Pataki, Faso, Lazio) would happen. Defeating Rudy Giuliani may be another matter, but I think Cooper would be in a great position to be David against Rudy's Goliath and take him down as well.

My advice? Run, Jon, Run!

Links:
Jon Cooper for U.S. Senate: Exploratory Committee - website
Who Is Jon Cooper, and Why Does He Think He Can Run for Senate? - CAPITOL
Another Dem forms committee to challenge Gillibrand - The Hill
Jon Cooper - Polit Bureau

Meet Mel Gagarin - Queens City Council Candidate, D29

Melquiades Gagarin was born in Elmhurst, Queens to a diverse family background. His father was raised in the Philippines and moved to New York to pursue a better life. Gagarin's mother is a first generation New Yorker born to Puerto Rican parents. Mel was raised largely by his grandmother Ramona and mother Maria, a nurse at the Jack D. Weiler Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Both women emphasized the value of hard work and education.

After graduating from Archbishop Molloy High School in Jamaica, Mel took the values instilled by his family and attended The American University in Washington, D.C. Earning his degree in Political Science, it was at American where Mel developed his passion for public service, and met hisfuture wife, Aleda. After graduation, Mel served as a Board Liaison for the National Foundation for Women Legislators in Washington, a non-profit organization that helps female state legislators develop leadership skills.

LI's 20 Latino Pols = shocking under-representation

In the fall of 2005, Mel and Aleda returned to New York and moved to Kew Gardens. That same year, Mel served as the Communications Liaison to New York State Senator José Serrano in East Harlem. His work in Senator Serrano's office attracted the attention of Congressman Anthony Weiner, who hired Mel as his Community Representative.

It was in Congressman Weiner's office that Mel had the opportunity to meet with many individuals in the community. Mel became familiar with the hurdles that the average New Yorker faces in having their basic needs met by the different levels of government. Gagarin brings this same desire into his campaign to represent the 29th Council District. "Our neighborhoods need a new and vibrant vision at City Hall," says Gagarin. Our city must remain a haven of shared prosperity for New York's middle-class. Our future demands action that cannot wait."

Mel currently works as the Media Manager for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, where he is responsible for disseminating the organization's message of equality and justice for all Americans. Mel is a member of the New York State Young Democrats and the National Association of Black Journalists. He is also working with a group of his neighbors in Kew Gardens who areunited against irresponsible development.

Mel lives with his wife Aleda and two year old son Micah. They are expecting their second child in time for the New Year.

Source: Meet the Candidates with ChangeNYC.Org

Meet David Galarza - Brooklyn City Council Candidate, D38

Update 5/20/09: The coast is clear for Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez’s re-election campaign since challenger David Galarza on Thursday dropped out of the race for the Democratic primary election this September — after making a vigorous and outspoken campaign that promised political fireworks in the 38th Council District.

David Galarza has spent his 20 year professional career engaged in union, political, civic, religious and journalistic activities. As a candidate for the 38th City Council District (encompassing sections of Sunset Park, Red Hook, Windsor Terrace and South Slope) he plans on utilizing his experience to continue his advocacy on behalf of his fellow Brooklyn neighbors.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Sunset Park, David has been active in, and helped establish, numerous local organizations including SPAN (Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors) a grassroots civic group that works on zoning, land use and housing issues; and the Latino Youth League of Sunset Park, which ran after school and summer programs for youth and in 1993, successfully fought against the building of a sludge treatment plant planned for the area.

LI's 20 Latino Pols = shocking under-representation

David is currently a Communications Specialist for CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME. In that capacity he has helped workers obtain improved safety and health conditions, better wages and benefits, helped organize direct care workers, and fought against the closure of a several State facilities. David began his professional career as a journalist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Miami Herald. He went on to serve as a spokesperson for former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger, and worked in the public affairs offices of the New York City Comptroller, the Board of Education and served as a consultant to the non-profit Children’s Aid Society.

A former member of Brooklyn’s Community Board 7, David chaired the Housing Committee. He helped organize the community against the inappropriate use of land and buildings, created an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged abuse of a local family and youth by police officers and assisted local organizations in promoting affordable housing initiatives. David has served on the boards of Latinos for National Health Insurance, The Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID). In 2003, David was named Community Advocate of the Year by the Sunset Park Lions Club.

David attended Long Island University and is a product of Brooklyn public schools. He and his wife Inez, a New York City public school speech therapist and member of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), are the parents of a son, Sean, a high school junior.

Source: Meet the Candidates with ChangeNYC.Org

Carmen Piñeyro & Livio 'Tony' Rosario Win

Voters in the Village of Freeport took change to heart and swept all four members of The Change Freeport Party into office. In so doing, Freeport elected its first African American mayor, Andrew Hardwick, and its first Dominican heritage trustee, Carmen Piñeyro.

The two other winning members are Trustee-elect Robert Kennedy and Justice-elect Stephen Drummond.

Up the road in the Village of Hempstead, incumbent Wayne Hall, running for reelection under the Democratic and Working Families Party lines, defeated his two rivals, including James Garner, the Republican he bested four years earlier. Voters also approved of Hall's team members, candidates for open trustee positions, incumbent deputy mayor Henry Conyers and newcomer Livio Tony Rosario.

Incumbent Theodore Gutierrez was uncontested in his re-election bid for Trustee in the Village of Cove Neck.

Congratulations!

Ramos Endorses Hempstead's Wayne Hall and Tony Rosario

Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) was in the Village of Hempstead last week to show support for the reelection of incumbent Mayor Wayne Hall. Running with Mayor Hall is Livio Tony Rosario, a candidate for Village Trustee. If elected, Mr. Rosario becomes the first Latino elected in the Village Board.

The election takes place Wednesday, March 18, 2009.

Photo (r to l): Wayne Hall, Phil Ramos, Tony Rosario

Julissa Ferreras vs Francisco Moya in Queens D21 Special Election

Corona, Queens is represented in state legislature by newly elected Senator Hiram Monserrate and Assemblyman José R. Peralta. The vacancy in the New York City Council created by the elevation of Monserrate will be filled in a special edlection next week, February 24th, 2009. Vying to fill the seat by two Latinos: Julissa Ferreras (endorsed by 1199SEIU) and Francisco Moya (endorsed by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez).

In addition to Corona, the district (21) includes East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights -- all communities with high concentrations of Latinos.

Related:
Corona candidate steps up to plate
Council Candidates Both Cite Early Service
Francisco Moya Endorsed by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez
Council Candidate Moya Gets the Obama Crowd

El Diario: Political Blowback

Attacking immigrants is just not good politics. Some politicians learned this the hard way. In this election cycle, several politicians campaigned on anti-immigrant platforms—and lost. The most outrageous was Congressman Tom Tancredo, who ran for the Republican nomination for president. Tancredo is in favor of ending legal immigration.

Undoubtedly, some politicians will resort to another fear-based campaign to rile up voters. But the tide of blaming immigrants may have run its course.

Other candidates—namely Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney—tried to outdo Tancredo. But their sparring during the primary debates did not take them to the top of the Republican ticket. And ultimately, Republican nominee John McCain, by backstepping on immigration reform, failed to move the vast majority Latino voters. Latin American immigrants are 40 percent of the Hispanic electorate. The vast majority of Latinos support a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants.

The scapegoating of immigrants had its consequences locally. Republican incumbents like State Senator Serphin Maltese were not helped by their party’s shortsighted platform on immigration and the economy. And without a disastrous party, Maltese alone would have been counting his days in Queens, the borough with the largest immigrant population. Maltese voted against a state measure allowing non citizen students to pay the same rate of in-state tuition as native students.

But one of the most significant defeats in the northeast was of Mayor Lou Barletta of Hazleton, PA. Barletta appeared on the national radar when he pushed through a harsh anti-immigrant ordinance that was thrown out in a legal battle. With the admiration of enforcement-only zealots, Barletta ran for Congress. He lost on Tuesday.

Click here and here for more on Barletta; here for more on Tancredo; and here for why Maltese's opponent--Senator-elect Joseph Addabbo--was the better choice for Latinos and immigrants of Queens .

Undoubtedly, some politicians will resort to another fear-based campaign to rile up voters. But the tide of blaming immigrants may have run its course.

Link

Obama's Long Island Victory

Barack Obama easily won New York in Tuesday's presidential election by capturing 62% (4,357,360) of the vote to McCain's 37% (2,593,368).

Nationally, New York tied for 4th best result for Obama-Biden with Illinois and Massachusetts. The strongest Obama states were Hawaii (72%), Vermont (67%) and Rhode Island (63%). (Of course, Washington, DC gave 93% of its vote to Obama-Biden.)

But how did Obama do on Long Island? Actually, he did quite well.

The Obama-Biden ticket won all four of Long Island's counties with 65% (1,617,626) of the vote to McCain-Palin's 34% (845,957).* They trounced McCain-Palin in the urban counties of Kings and Queens, while also edging their GOP rivals in suburban Nassau and Suffolk.

Here are the results:

Kings
Obama-Biden 79%
McCain-Palin 20%

Queens
Obama-Biden 74%
McCain-Palin 25

Nassau
Obama-Biden 53%
McCain-Palin 46%

Suffolk
Obama-Biden 52%
McCain-Palin 47%

*LI vote total vote count as of 11/6 is 2,486,410.

What was the impact of Long Island's surging 1.5 million Latino community on Tuesday's election results? Stay tuned. That will be the topic of a future post.

U.S. Presidential Election Results Board: Watch History Happen

Watch the results of the historical U.S. presidential election as they occur in real time.

Endorsement: Graham Long for Congress (NY-3)

Long Island's middle class families have been devastated by the misguided policies of George W. Bush of the last eight years. Long Islanders of all stripes are demanding fundamental change in Washington in this election cycle.

And it's why after 31 years in elective office Congressman Peter T. King should be retired.

In Washington 14 terms, Peter King has been an eager foot-soldier for George W. Bush's failed presidency.

A bitterly partisan politician, Peter King relishes his role as a Bush bitbull on immigration, the economy, the environment, energy and the Iraq War.

On issues of major importance, Peter King has sided with George W. Bush and against Long Island families. On immigration, the economy, the Iraq War, the environment -- King offers more of the same.

Long Island and the people of 3rd Congressional District deserve a representative that is independent and unaligned with retrograde political and economic interests.

Long Island's future rests on engaging bright, optimistic new leaders with new ideas, unencumbered by the failed policies of the past. Graham Long is such a person.

Graham Long seeks to work with the new Congress and the new administration on behalf of the people of the 3rd Congressional District to: enact tax cuts for middle class families, fix the broken immigration system, promote smarter energy policies, and create millions of U.S. green jobs. And he will work to end the Iraq War, while promoting more effective policies in the fight against terrorism.

Latino Long Island asks the voters of NY's 3rd Congressional District to send Graham Long to Washington as their representative.

David Crosby and Graham Nash @ Obama Rally -- Eisenhower Park

Relentless of 100 Years is Enough sent me this video he took from last night's David Crosby and Graham Nash set at the Obama Rally at Eisenhower Park (Hempstead, New York) -- a production of Yes We Can Long Island.

Crosby and Nash performed This Is My Country, a powerful call to take our country back, and the classic, Teach Your Children Well.

These guys bring back all sorts of memories from my college days at Albany State. Of course, back then it was CSNY. Southern Man, anyone?

Very nicely done.

Break the Silence of the Candidates on Immigration

Given the domestic war against immigrant workers -- a war that's devastating families, communities as well as the nation's economy -- candidates for president owe voters a serious discussion of their proposals to fix our broken immigration system.

Unfortunately, the candidates' silence on immigration is deafening.

Demanding a discussion of the issue at tonight's debate at Hofstra University, dozens of immigration advocacy groups (including ACORN, New York Immigration Coalition, Long Island Immigrant Alliance, Workplace Project and the Central American Refugee Center) are gathering at the debate site to press their cause.

Also challenging the candidates to speak up are the editors of EL Diario-La Prensa (Silence of the candidates.) and DailyNews Columnist Juan Gonzlez (Bob, keep'em honest at debate).

Immigration is as important a local, national, regional and global issue as any other -- and Americans (and the world) should know how the next leader of the free world chooses to address it's complexities, challenges and opportunities.

Related:
McCain and Obama: Fuzzy On Immigration
Obama Pitches Immigration Policy
Some want presidential debate to take up immigration
Local Latino activists: Obama, McCain should stop dodging immigration
Mayor: Feds turned my town 'topsy turvy'
New Report Shows the Vast Economic Contributions of Immigrants to Long Island: $10.6 Billion Latinos Breaking Heavily for Obama
McCain’s immigration zigzag
McCain's Delicate Immigration Dance
Barack Obama on Immigration
John McCain on Immigration

Obama Rally in Eisenhower Park Today: Latest Update

The following is the latest on today's Obama Rally in Esienhower Park from Mark X. Cronin, Obama-Biden's LI Grassroots Coordinator.

If anyone knows of anything comparable schedule by the McCain-Palin campaign, please add as a comment or send as an email to latinolongisland@gmail.com. Thanks.

Here’s the latest on the Free Rally and Concert for Obama. The musical acts now include Graham Nash and David Crosby as well as Bruce Hornsby (“The Way It Is”). We are expecting a large crowd, but we cannot have enough people. The national media will be watching: let’s show the nation the support that Barack Obama and Joe Biden have on Long Island. We promise to have a great day.

Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. – leaving you plenty of time to get home to watch the debate

Place: Eisenhower Park in East Meadow at the Harry Chapin Theater

Nearest Parking: Lots 6 and 6A offer the closest parking. You may need to park further away.

Nearest Train Station: LIRR Westbury station. No shuttle buses, but there will be taxis and it is almost exactly a one mile walk.

Volunteer Opportunities: We may need help staffing volunteer sign-u[p stations and a “Call a Swing State” station. Please ask for me upon arrival if you can help out.

Please bring your cell phone: We will ask all rally goers to make calls to swing states in support of Barack Obama during the rally.

Show Your Support: Bring your Obama signs or make them up. Wear your Obama shirts and buttons. We will have some signs and campaign material available.

This promises to be an amazing event. The entertainment currently includes: Graham Nash and David Crosby, Bruce Hornsby, Barefoot Truth, Ryan Star, Francis Dunnery, The Sleeping and John Hampson (from Nine Days). We will hear many inspiration speakers (though Barack cannot attend – he will be prepping for his debate). Come out and show your support, enjoy the day and have some fun.

Debate Watching Parties After the rally, share your enthusiasm by attending a debate watching party. You can find debate watching parties all across Long Island, including these:

Huntington for Obama Debate Watch Party
Babylon Debate Watch Party at Babylon Dem HQ
Brentwood Debate Watch Party
National Jewish Democratic Council Debate Watch Party at Bar Social (fundraiser)
Young Democratic Debate Watch Party (fundraiser)
Rockville Centre Democratic Club Debate Watch party

YES WE CAN! LI to Host Pre-Debate Obama Rally at Eisenhower Park

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper, along with members of YES WE CAN! Long Island are hosting a rally in support of Senator Barack Obama for President.

The rally on October 15th, preceding the final presidential debate at Hofstra University, will be one of the largest presidential campaign events in New York before the November 4th election. It will be held at Eisenhower Park.

Nassau County, one of America's first suburban communities, will host this historic presidential debate and we want to show the rest of the country that there is a massive amount of support across Long Island to make Senator Obama our next president. Tom Suozzi

Senator Obama has inspired so many people to get involved with the political process. With the incredible difficulties our country is facing, it's very important that we all come together over the next three weeks and do all we can to ensure we send Barack Obama to the White House. Jon Cooper

YES WE CAN! Long Island is a grassroots organization working to support Senator Obama from the primaries through the general election.

Jon Cooper is Obama-Biden Long Island Campaign Chairman.

Shakira Hearts Obama for U.S. President

Latina recording artist Shakira expressed support this weekend for Barack Obama's candidacy for President of the United States. The Grammy-winning pop artist and humanitarian believes that Obama is best prepared to lead United States -- a place of "profound importance to me".

"I feel in my heart that he would be able to reconstruct peace and confidence in the United States."

Shakira encourages all U.S. Latinos to vote in November. Amen!

Si, Se Puede!

Links:
Shakira - wikipedia
Shakira anuncia respaldo a Obama
Shakira Lauds Obama's 'True American Message'
Shakira
La Fundación Pies Descalzos (The Barefoot Foundation)

Adolfo Carrión Jr.: The Most Powerful?

Long Island has a growing cadre of talented Latino political leaders.

Vivian Viloria Fisher of Seatuket, David Mejias of Hickville, Phil Ramos of Brentwood, Ricardo Montano of Central Islip, Mark Bonilla of Hempstead and Nydia Velasquez of Brooklyn are some the stars.

However, if things go according to plan, the most powerful Latino on Long Island come January 1, 2010 may hail from a different island and may never reside on Long Island proper.

He's Adolfo Carrión Jr., the current Bronx borough president--and a resident of City Island.

That's right.

Carrión recently announced that he will run for NYC Comptroller in 2009.

If successful in his bid, Comptroller Carrión would oversee NYC's massive $60 billion budget, $50 billion capital plan and $100 billion+ in pension funds--a chunk of which directly and indirectly impacts residents and businesses in Queens, Brooklyn and beyond.

Related: Carrión to Run for Comptroller in 2009
Official Biography of Adolfo Carrión Jr.

U.S. Latino Business Group to Presidential Candidates: Focus on Small Businesses

The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is concerned that the presidential candidates have thus far ignored the needs of the nation's small businesses. Today the Chamber issued a statement challenging the president wannabes to articulate constructive small business proposals.

To date, the candidates have focused more on issues that will hurt small business than on those that will grow small business. We hear more about tax hikes, limiting trade policies and the imposition of draconian immigration laws rather than plans and policies that will strengthen the nation’s entrepreneurial spirit.

A significant generator of jobs and wealth, the Chamber projects 2.7 million Latino businesses next year generating $388 billion and $465 billion by 2010.