Hey everyone,
Plenty of news but not much movement. Critical decisions need to be made at the National level - from foreign policy to who will head major agencies - and as usual Trump leaves everyone in the dark. Locally, a massive shift took place as the IDC rejoined the Democratic Conference; but since Simcha Felder will stay with the Republicans, that shift amounts to more of the same.
But, there are A LOT of events listed at the bottom with many ways YOU can help move the ball forward!
NATIONAL NEWS
North and South Korea Pledge to Peace and Denuclearization
Ok, there was ONE big movement at the end of the week. North and South Korean Presidents met to pledge an end to the Korean War (which has been in Cease Fire this whole time). With Trump in office it looks like there's only room for one rogue nation in the conflict.
Republicans Win In AZ Special Still Holds Warning of a Blue Wave
Last Tuesday an under the radar special election was held near Phoenix. Republican Debbie Lesko and Democrats Hiral Tipirnen faced off to represent Arizona's 8th Congressional District. With nearly equal resources and nearly equal enthusiasm in their primaries, Lesko went on to win by roughly 5 points. But in a district which votes for Republicans by 20 points, that's an abysmal performance. Five Thirty Eight has a nice breakdown of the recent swings in Congressional voting.
Trump’s First State Dinner Goes to France Amid Iran Deal Negotiation
As the deadline for implementing the next stage of the Iran Deal approaches, French President Emmanuel Macron was Trump’s guest at his first state dinner. The two seemed to get along well personally, though they maintained key political differences. The focal point of the visit was for Macron to persuade Trump to revisit his thinking on the Iran nuclear deal. Trump has been an open critic of the deal since it was passed.
Macron opined that he thought Trump would pull out of the nuclear deal “for his own domestic reasons.” The deadline for implementation on the Iran Deal is May 12th.
White House Withdraws Veterans Affairs Nominee
White House physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, had his nomination withdrawn from consideration for head of the Veterans Affairs Dept. Jackson withdraws amongst accusations by more than a dozen former staffers of a hostile work environment, improper medication dispensation, and excessive drinking. Jackson has denied all allegations and Trump defended him by accusing Sen. Jon Tester, top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, of undercutting Jackson’s nomination.
Trump said of Jackson “He’s an admiral, highly respected, and a real leader.” Accusations by former colleagues of Jackson described his leadership style as loose. According to reports, colleagues said medications were freely distributed and lightly accounted for. Colleagues also witnessed Jackson intoxicated while on official White House travel. Jackson had received high recommendations from former President Barack Obama.
LOCAL NEWS
Democrats Hold Two State Senate Seats In Special Elections; IDC Returns
On Tuesday, Democrats held on to two State Senate seats in the Special Elections. Senate District 32 in the Bronx and 37 in Westchester were vacated in the 2017 municipal elections requiring filling this year.
SD 37 saw former Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer win handily against the Republican with a 22% margin - the largest margin in years. District 32 saw the election of another former Assemblymember, Luis Sepulveda easily captured the victory with an 88% margin.
There were also nine Assembly seats up for grabs. Close to home in AD 74 (which borders 66), Harvey Epstein won for State Assembly with 90% of the vote.
Republicans Maintain Control of State Senate
Despite special election wins on Tuesday and the return of the IDC to the Democratic conference, Republicans retained control of the State Senate. The current majority rests with the single, non-IDC Democrat, Simcha Felder.
Felder, who is a registered Democrat, runs on both the Republican and Democrat line simultaneously in his district - making him truly of both Parties. Though he said he would considering flipping in the even the IDC rejoined the Democrats, he has decided to stay put.
In response to Felder’s decision, Governor Cuomo sent the Senator a letter attempting to convince him to come back to the Democrats. Although critics have blasted Cuomo saying he could do much more than write a letter in his position as Governor.
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EVENTS
Rep Your Block Kick-Off in North Brooklyn (50 and 53 Assembly Districts) Saturday, April 28 12:00pm – 1:30pm Starr Bar Description:It's time to #RepYourBlock in North Brooklyn! We're helping everyday Brooklynites play an integral role in reforming local government by winning a seat in the Kings County Democratic Committee (aka the Brooklyn Democratic Party). Our goal is to make the Brooklyn Democratic Party more inclusive and accessible to voters by getting forward-thinking citizens like you to #RepYourBlock and win a seat in your local Democratic committee. Check out repyourblock.com for more info! https://www.facebook.com/events/1051059211713303/
DID's Amazing Brunch Fundraiser 2018
Sunday, April 29
11:30am – 2:30pm
Sean Sweeney's fabulous SoHo Loft: 125 Greene Street, Fifth Floor, between Prince & Houston Streets.
Description:Friends, Neighbors, Democrats! Please join Downtown Independent Democrats, Lower Manhattan's premier progressive Democratic organization for our annual Spring fundraiser as we honor Congressman Jerrold Nadler and Tom Murphy of the United Federation of Teachers. RESERVE YOUR TICKET NOW AT: https://DID2018.eventbee.com https://www.facebook.com/events/210892743010222/
Sister District NY 12-13-14 Trivia Night
Sunday, April 29
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Description:For details, link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sister-district-ny-12-13-14-trivia-night-tickets-45326678315
CBID Annual Dinner - April 29th at the Bell House!
Sunday, April 29
5:30pm – 9:30pm
Description:Join the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and our outstanding list of honorees for an evening of great food, music, awards and progressive Brooklyn politics. Please consider taking out an ad in our journal as well. Email dinner@cbidems.org for more info. https://www.facebook.com/events/571295766563395/
Uptown Democratic Club General Meeting
Monday, April 30
7:00pm – 9:00pm
14-32 W 118th St, New York, NY 10026, USA
Manhattan Democrats' Spring Cocktail Reception
Tuesday, May 1
7:00pm – 9:30pm
Description:Join us for our 2018 Spring Cocktail Reception, where we will announce the results of our 2018 Civil Court Independent Screening Panel. https://www.facebook.com/events/1389443734490690/
May Day Fort Greene House Party with Alexandria
Tuesday, May 1
7:00pm – 10:00pm
Description:Calling all NYC progressives! Join Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a house party/fundraiser to benefit her run for the House of Representatives! https://www.facebook.com/events/418611861943221/
4 Women In a Room: A Conversation About Women In New York State Government
Tuesday, May 1
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Description:RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/yes-amp-17172479756
Flippable District Phone Bank #3
Thursday, May 3
6:00pm – 8:30pm
Description:It's time for our THIRD phone bank of the year! We'll be back to making calls to the great folks of NC House District 2 (Granville and Person counties) on Thursday, May 3rd, trying to engage Democratic support in some additional precincts in the district. https://www.facebook.com/events/188555895100032/
Spring Happy Hour with BYD and LID!
Thursday, May 3
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Description:Join the Brooklyn Young Democrats and the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn for Spring Happy Hour at The Douglass! More details with guest speakers to come! https://www.facebook.com/events/219190615497481/
Sister District Blue Summer Kickoff: Postcards to Pennsylvania for Liz Hanbidge
Saturday, May 5
9:00am – 6:00pm
Description:Postcards and Phonebank for Liz Hanbidge, Democrat for PA House of Representatives District 61
Contact: ny12sisterdistrict@gmail.com
West Harlem Progressive Democratic Club Spring Reception
Sunday, May 6
5:00pm – 8:00pm
Description:Please save the date for the West Harlem Progressive Democratic Club's 2018 Spring Reception! The West Harlem Dems are committed to electing and supporting judges and justices that reflect the values of the Village of Harlem. https://www.facebook.com/events/185258598784051/
NYC's first Candidate Forum - Gov, Lt. Gov, Comptroller, AG
Monday, May 7
6:30pm – 10:00pm
Description:List of Speakers
Governor
Cynthia Nixon
Rep for Cuomo
Lt. Gov
Jumaane Williams
Kathy Hochul
Comptroller
Representative for Dinapoli
Attorney General Representative for Schneiderman https://www.facebook.com/events/224661594951893/
BBQ Fundraiser for Jessica Ramos
Monday, May 7
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Description:If you haven't met Jessica Ramos, the dynamic Democratic challenger to Trump Democrat Jose Peralta, come on over to John Brown's Smokehouse, the unofficial home of the NoIDC movement in Queens. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ramosjohnbrowns https://www.facebook.com/events/841808612693965/
Assemblyman Michael Blake Fundraiser
Wednesday, May 9
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Village Independent Democrats Monthly Meeting
Thursday, May 10
6:30pm – 9:00pm
83 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014, USA
Description:In the St. John's Lutheran Church Annex
GroundShift Camp
May 25 – 26, 2018
Description:Start your summer off with an immersive weekend of civic empowerment, community building, and creative experiences at GroundShift on May 25-27.
Early Bird Tickets: 20% off Regular Ticket before April 30th! Ticket costs (including food, lodging and program): Low Income $125 // Regular $255 // Angel $490Transportation available from NYC.
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