New Kings Democrats is a progressive, grassroots political organization committed to bringing transparency, accountability, and inclusionary democracy to the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
We're proud to endorse the following candidates and support their campaigns with digital organizing events. Are you interested in volunteering for a NKD candidate? Sign-up for a volunteer shift here!
Our Endorsed Candidates for the June 2020 Primary
To receive an endorsement, our membership must be confident that you share our values of accountability, transparency, and inclusive democracy, while also aligning with our policy platform.
Meet our Endorsed Candidates
Julio Pena III for District Leader in Assembly District 51st
In March 2020, New Kings Democrats proudly endorsed Julio Pena III in the Male District Leader race in the 51st Assembly District.
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Only candidate Julio Pena III chose to participate and attended the endorsement meeting on March 5th. District Leader and Assembly Member Felix Ortiz was invited to participate but his office did not respond. Check out Julio's Q&A here.
Our Call
Julio has been a leader in Assembly District 51 for several years, and was instrumental in the creation of its Assembly District Committee while also helping his neighbors run for County Committee. The current District Leader is also an Assembly Member -- and is not present in the district. AD 51 deserves a representative to the Democratic Party who is looking out for his neighbors who are facing housing and immigration crises. Julio is that leader.
Campaign Website: www.juliopenabk.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JulioPenaBklyn
Twitter: @Julio_PenaBK
Shaquana Boykin for District Leader in Assembly District 57th
In March 2020, New Kings Democrats proudly endorsed Shaquana Boykin in the Female District Leader race in the 57th Assembly District.
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Candidates Shaquana Boykin and Olanike Alabi chose to participate and attended the endorsement meeting on March 5th. Check out Shaquana's Q&A here.
Our Call
Shaquana Boykin is the type of candidate reformers are thinking about when we talk about elevating community leaders already doing the work for their neighborhoods: she is a community activist who, as District Leader, will be a natural leader that the 57th Assembly District deserves. The district is in need of a passionate, accountable leader ready to hold the rest of County leadership accountable to her constituents, and Shaquana will do just that. She’s doing the work of a District Leader today without the title, and we’re excited to see people rally around her candidacy.
Campaign Website: www.shaquanaforbrooklyn.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shaquanaforbrooklyn
Instagram: @ShaquanaforBrooklyn
Jesse Pierce for District Leader in Assembly District 52
In October 2019, New Kings Democrats kicked off endorsement season at our general meeting with the 50th Assembly District race and the Female District Leader race in the 52nd Assembly District. NKD is proud to endorse Jesse Pierce for District Leader in Assembly District 52!
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Candidates Jesse Pierce and Rachel Eve Stein chose to participate and attended the endorsement meeting on October 6.
Our Call
Jesse Pierce is a gate-opener in a world full of gatekeepers, and is poised to make Brooklyn politics work for everyday Brooklynites. District Leaders have a unique opportunity—and, in NKD’s view, a responsibility—to work to make the Brooklyn Democratic Party more transparent, accountable, and inclusive, and in this regard, Jesse has walked the walk. She has demonstrated her values in her campaign, building civic and political awareness raising into her canvasses and thoughtfully engaging communities traditionally underrepresented in political spaces.
Campaign Website: jessepierceforbrooklyn.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JessePierceForBrooklyn
Twitter: @JessePierce4DL
Samuel N. Olivares for District Leader in Assembly District 53
In December 2019, New Kings Democrats proudly endorsed Samuel N. Olivares for District Leader in Assembly District 53!
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Samuel Olivares chose to participate and attended the endorsement meeting on December 15.
Our Call
Samuel N. Olivares is an organizer, both within and outside of his neighborhood, and he plans to bring that lens to the District Leader role, amplifying his constituents’ concerns at the Party level and making sure policymakers hear them, too. Samy is already working closely with the organized County Committee members in his district. We're pleased that he has promised to hit the ground running with an Assembly District Committee (ADC) as soon as he takes office. Samy is thinking creatively about how to make the Party more accountable and inclusive, particularly the judicial process, and is unafraid to stand up to Party leadership and push for reforms he believes in. Samy is the kind of bold District Leader the Party needs going into 2020.
Campaign Website: samy.nyc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SamyNemirOlivares
Twitter: @Samynemir
Kristina Naplatarski for District Leader in Assembly District 50
NKD is proud to endorse Kristina Naplatarski for District Leader in Assembly District 50!
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Candidate Kristina Naplatarski and incumbent District Leader Linda Minucci chose to participate in the interview process, though only Kristina attended the endorsement meeting on November 7. Check out Kristina's Q&A here.
Our Call
Kristina Naplatarski is poised and qualified to challenge a failure of leadership in Assembly District 50, and is the clear choice for District Leader in North Brooklyn. As a City Council staffer and an activist in her lifelong neighborhood of Greenpoint, Kristina has demonstrated a commitment to and passion for progressive causes. As a candidate for District Leader, she has made it clear that she will bring that commitment and passion to reforming the Brooklyn Democratic Party and making it a more engaged, inclusive, and transparent body. We are excited to watch her get to work with the 50th Assembly District Committee to engage residents all over the district in local politics.
Campaign Website: www.kristinaforbrooklyn.com/
Twitter: @Kristina_Nap
Emily Gallagher for Assembly in Assembly District 50
NKD is proud to endorse Emily Gallagher for State Assembly Member in Assembly District 50! We endorsed her in October 2019.
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Emily is the only candidate who chose to participate and attended the endorsement meeting. Assembly Member Lentol chose not to participate. Check out Emily's Q&A here.
Our Call
Emily Gallagher is a fierce and fearless community activist. She has been organizing with her Greenpoint neighbors for tenant protections, environmental justice, and rights for survivors of sexual abuse and harassment for over a decade. She is clearly committed to reforming the Brooklyn Democratic Party, and the Party is changing precisely thanks to the work of advocates like her. Emily never hesitates to speak truth to power, even when it's risky. We can be a powerful force working together to keep moving the Party and the district forward.
Campaign Website: emilyforassembly.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Em4Assembly/
Twitter: @Em4Assembly
Genesis Aquino for Assembly in Assembly District 51
NKD is proud to endorse Génesis Aquino for Assembly in Assembly District 51!
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Candidates Génesis Aquino, Marcela Mitaynes, and Katherine Walsh chose to participate and attended the endorsement meeting on November 7. Check out Genesis's Q&A here.
Our Call
Génesis Aquino is a fearless advocate for housing reform, labor rights, lgbtq equality, and immigrant justice -- among countless other causes -- and we are proud to support her as she seeks a larger platform from which to fight for her community. We have seen her come to the brink of defeating the Democratic machine that has stood in the way of progress in Sunset Park, Red Hook, Bay Ridge, and the South Slope, and firmly believe she has what it takes to win and thrive in the Assembly on behalf of the 51st Assembly District.
Campaign Website: genesisfornewyork.com/
Twitter: @GenesisAquinoNY
Julia Salazar for State Senator in SD 18
In December 2019, New Kings Democrats also endorsed State Senator Julia Salazar for Senate in SD 18. We also endorsed Senator Salazar in her first run in 2018.
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Julia Salazar chose to participate and attended the endorsement meeting on December 15. Check out Julia's Q&A here.
Our Call
State Senator Julia Salazar has been working side-by-side with advocates to pass progressive legislation since the first day of her first term (she was elected in 2018 and NKD endorsed her in that race as well). In particular, Julia has been one of the leaders of the fight for stronger rent regulation in the state legislature. She has quickly developed a strong understanding of both policy and strategy. She has also built deep relationships and partnerships with other progressive legislators, and has a clear-eyed view of how they can do better in the coming session. Having gone up against the machine herself, Julia has also continued to be a powerful voice for Party reform in Brooklyn.
Campaign Website: salazarforsenate.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SenatorSalazar
Twitter: @SalazarSenate
Nydia Velazquez for Congress in NY 7
NKD is proud to endorse Nydia Velazquez for Congress in NY 7!
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Candidates Nydia Velazquez and Paperboy Prince chose to participate and attended the endorsement meeting on March 5th. Check out Nydia's Q&A here.
Our Call
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez is tried and true legislator who leads with compassion. She is, at once, leading on the national stage and fighting 45 on immigration, transportation, and other federal-level issues while remaining steadfastly focused on what’s happening on the ground in Brooklyn. She has specific ideas, and the experience to get them done. We’re proud to continue to support her.
Campaign Website: www.reelectnydiavelazquez.com
Twitter: @ReElectNydia
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReElectNydiaVelazquezToCongress
Sandy Nurse for Assembly in Assembly District 54
NKD is proud to endorse Sandy Nurse for Assembly in Assembly District 54!
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Candidates Sandy Nurse, Boris Santos, and Edwin Delgado chose to participate and attended the endorsement meeting on November 7. Check out Sandy's Q&A here.
Our Call
Sandy Nurse has spent the past decade in Bushwick doing the work that the Assembly Member should have been doing: organizing her neighbors, creating green jobs for young people, and providing spaces like MayDay for residents to gather and build community. Her natural leadership skills and her experience navigating complicated bureaucracies will carry over easily into Albany politics. From literal houses to diverse coalitions, Sandy’s a builder, and we are excited to work with her to create a new kind of politics.
Campaign Website: www.nurseforny.com/
Twitter: @NurseForNY
Sandy Nurse for Council in Council District 37
NKD is proud to endorse Sandy Nurse for Council in Council District 37!
The Race
We invited all known candidates in the race to pursue NKD's endorsement. Candidates Sandy Nurse and Misba Abdin chose to participate, and Sandy Nurse attended the endorsement meeting on March 5th. Check out Sandy's Q&A here.
Our Call
NKD endorsed Sandy Nurse for Assembly in AD 54, and we are thrilled that she is running to represent District 37 in the City Council. She works to bring members of her community - from across and even outside the district - together to make key decisions. Aside from being a community builder, Sandy is prepared to lead at an incredibly crucial time for her district, when Bushwick is facing a potential rezoning that could change the landscape of the neighborhood for decades. She convenes her community without putting herself at the center, and we are so proud to back Sandy in her campaign.
Campaign Website: www.nurseforny.com
Twitter: @NurseForNY
Instagram: @NurseForNY
Are you interested in pursuing our endorsement, or curious about our process? Read about it here!
2019
Public Advocate - Jumaane Williams
2018
Public Advocate - Jumaane Williams
7th Congressional District - Nydia Velazquez
20th State Senate District - Zellnor Myrie
Female District Leader in Assembly District 51 - Genesis Aquino
Lt. Governor - Jumaane Williams
Governor - Cynthia Nixon
18th State Senate District - Julia Salazar
Attorney General - Zephyr Teachout
2017
34th City Council District - Antonio Reynoso
35th City Council District - Ede Fox
38th City Council District - Carlos Menchaca
41st City Council District - Alicka Samuel
43rd City Council District - Rev. Khader El-Yateem
2016
7th Congressional District - Nydia Velazquez
18th State Senate District - Debbie Medina
Assemblymember, 44th Assembly District - Bobby Carroll
District Leader, 44th Assembly District - Bobby Carroll
District Leader, 50th Assembly District - Emily Gallagher
District Leader, 50th Assembly District - Nick Rizzo
2014
7th Congressional District – Nydia Velazquez
18th State Senate District – Debbie Medina
20th State Senate District – Rubain Dorancy
51st Assembly District – Ceasar Zuniga
53rd Assembly District – No endorsement
55th Assembly District – Lori Boozer
District Leader, 50th Assembly District – Nick Rizzo
2013
53rd Assembly District – Jason Otaño
New York City Mayor – Bill de Blasio
New York City Comptroller – Scott Stringer
New York City Public Advocate – No endorsement
Brooklyn Borough President – No endorsement
Brooklyn District Attorney – Abe George
Brooklyn District Attorney – Ken Thompson
33rd City Council District – No endorsement
35th City Council District – No endorsement
38th City Council District – Carlos Menchaca
2012
12th Congressional District – Nydia Velazquez
10th Congressional District – Hakeem Jeffries
18th State Senate District - Jason Otaño
50th Assembly District – No endorsement
District Leader, 50th Assembly District – Lincoln Restler
District Leader, 52nd Assembly District – Chris Owens
Civil Court Judge, Countywide Races – No endorsement
Civil Court Judge, 1st District – Richard Montelione
Civil Court Judge, 2nd District – No endorsement
2011
54th Assembly District – Jesus Gonzalez
2010
12th Congressional District – Nydia Velazquez
25th State Senate District - Daniel Squadron
52th Assembly District – Joan Millman
District Leader, 53rd Assembly District – Esteban Duran
District Leader, 53rd Assembly District – Barbara Medina
District Leader, 52rd Assembly District – Jo Anne Simon
District Leader, 50th Assembly District – Lincoln Restler
District Leader, 50th Assembly District – Kate Zidar
2009
33rd Council District — Evan Thies
34th Council District — No endorsement
35th Council District — Letitia James