Progressive Landslide

Yesterday, something amazing happened in New York City.

John Liu rode a rainbow coalition to win the runoff for Comptroller and in November he’ll become the first Asian-American ever elected to citywide office.

And Bill de Blasio, who just six months ago was an inspiring but little-known progressive hero, won the contest for public advocate against a much better known opponent.

These were hard fought victories. Bill and John spent months crisscrossing the city, talking to people in every borough and nearly every neighborhood about the issues that matter to middle- and working-class people. They each built broad coalitions: neighborhood leaders, union members, tenant activists, advocates for the homeless, and just good old-fashioned civic-minded citizens.

Turnout wasn’t high. But those who did come to the polls cared deeply about the future of our city. New York has big challenges ahead. The affordable housing crisis. Rising unemployment. Every day, New Yorkers grapple with a city they love but fear they can no longer afford to call home.

There’s a lot of work to do. But today, we have two new progressive leaders who will work to find solutions to the problems our city faces. I know I speak for thousands of Working Families Party members when I say that we are thrilled to have played a part in their victories. We look forward to working with them in the never-ending project to build a society based on democracy, equality and solidarity.