TAMMANY TIMES
Democrats

Citizens Union Releases Latest Slate of Endorsements

Nicholas Hutfilz
Nicholas Hutfilz
May 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM · 6 min read
Campaign Trail
Citizens Union Releases Latest Slate of Endorsements
Keith Powers, CU's #1 pick for Manhattan Borough President, via Keith Powers for Manhattan Borough President

The good government group Citizens Union has unveiled its latest round of endorsements, throwing its support behind candidates in 12 races for City Council and for Manhattan Borough President. These endorsements are for the upcoming Democratic primary elections.

John Avlon, Chair of Citizens Union's board, commented on the significance of these races. Avlon, who recently ran for Congress in New York's 1st District on Long Island, stated, “This year’s primary election features a number of open and competitive races for City Council and a closely-watched race for Manhattan Borough President. And as we face a crisis of confidence in City Hall, it is essential that our local representatives strengthen our democracy and usher in a new era of reform in New York. Citizens Union is proud to support this slate of candidates who are committed to fair and open elections and honest and accountable governance."

Citizens Union outlined several criteria for their endorsements, including:

  • A record of ethical integrity.
  • A commitment to advancing Citizens Union's goals if elected.
  • For incumbents, a demonstrated support for the group's objectives.
  • Evidence of an effective campaign, a reliance on small-dollar donors, and a sensible grasp of key issues.

The group has ranked some of its endorsements and encourages voters to rank their choices similarly to maximize the impact of their vote in New York City's ranked-choice voting system.

Here are the endorsements:

Manhattan Borough President

  1. Keith Powers
  2. Brad Hoylman-Sigal

City Council District 2 (Manhattan) Covers: Greenwich Village, Lower East Side, East Village, Midtown South-Flatiron-Union Square, Gramercy, Murray Hill-Kips Bay

  1. Harvey Epstein
  2. Sarah Batchu
  3. Andrea Gordillo

City Council District 4 (Manhattan) Covers: Midtown South-NoMad, Midtown-Times Square, Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village, Murray Hill-Kips Bay, East Midtown-Turtle Bay, United Nations, Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill

  1. Vanessa Aronson
  2. Ben Wetzler
  3. Virginia Maloney
  4. Faith Bondy
  5. Rachel Storch

City Council District 5 (Manhattan) Covers: East Midtown-Turtle Bay, United Nations, Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island, Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill, Upper East Side-Yorkville

  1. Julie Menin

City Council District 8 (Manhattan/The Bronx) Covers: Mott Haven-Port Morris, Melrose, Concourse-Concourse Village, Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill, Upper East Side-Yorkville, East Harlem (South), East Harlem (North), Randall’s Island

  1. Elsie Encarnacion
  2. Wilfredo Lopez
  3. Clarisa Alayeto

City Council District 14 (The Bronx) Covers: University Heights South-Morris Heights, Fordham Heights, University Heights-North Fordham, Morris Heights, Kingsbridge Heights-Van Cortlandt Village, Kingsbridge-Marble Hill, Mount Hope, Bedford Park

  1. Pierina Sanchez
  2. Bryan Hodge Vasquez

City Council District 17 (The Bronx) Covers: Crotona Park East, Melrose, Hunts Point, Concourse, East Tremont, Morrisania, Longwood, Port Morris, West Farms

  1. Justin Sanchez
  2. Antirson Ortiz
  3. Elvis Santana

City Council District 21 (Queens) Covers: Astoria (North)-Ditmars-Steinway, Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, North Corona, Elmhurst, Corona, Rego Park, Flushing-Willets Point, LaGuardia Airport, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

  1. Erycka Montoya

City Council District 28 (Queens) Covers: Richmond Hill, Jamaica, South Ozone Park, Rochdale Village

  1. Tyrell Hankerson
  2. Japneet Singh
  3. Romeo Hitlall

City Council District 30 (Queens) Covers: Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale, Woodhaven, Woodside

  1. Dermot Smyth
  2. Paul Pogozelski

City Council District 38 (Brooklyn) Covers: Sunset Park, Red Hook, Greenwood Heights, Windsor Terrace, Dyker Heights, Borough Park, Park Slope, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach

  1. Alexa Avilés

City Council District 39 (Brooklyn) Covers: Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Columbia Waterfront

  1. Maya Kornberg

City Council District 51 (Staten Island) Covers: Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights, New Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis, Fresh Kills Park, Oakwood-Richmondtown, Great Kills-Eltingville, Arden Heights-Rossville, Annadale-Huguenot-Prince’s Bay-Woodrow, Tottenville-Charleston, Freshkills Park, Great Kills Park

  1. Frank Morano

The primary election is scheduled for June 24th. Early voting will be available from June 14th to June 22nd.