ALBANY, N.Y. — Citizen Action of New York, a progressive grassroots organizing group, on Nov. 4 congratulated Democrat Cait Conley on winning New York’s 17th Congressional District, calling her victory over Republican Rep. Mike Lawler the product of nearly two years of community organizing in the Hudson Valley.
The group’s statement, issued after Lawler conceded, referred to Conley as “Congresswoman-elect.” The 17th District, which covers parts of the Lower Hudson Valley north of New York City, borders northern New Jersey and was one of the most closely watched House seats in the midterm elections.
“The voters of NY-17 have spoken,” said Isaiah Fenichel, lead organizer for the group’s Hudson Valley chapter. He described the result as “a testament to the power of organized people who refused to accept a political system that puts billionaires, corporations, and special interests ahead of working families.”
Fenichel said voters now expect results, including “taking on the Trump administration, confronting corporate greed,” and making housing, health care and education more accessible. “Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we will continue organizing,” he said.
According to the group, it worked with more than 50 grassroots organizations and activists through the CD17 Community Coalition, organizing more than 200 rallies, town halls, forums, teach-ins and direct actions. The group said the effort made 247,919 phone calls, knocked on 3,269 doors and sent 54,387 text messages in the district.
Elsewhere in the state, the group said it knocked on more than 10,000 doors and made more than 600,000 phone calls.
The statement also listed dozens of candidates the group endorsed, including state Attorney General Letitia James, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Pat Ryan in the 18th District and Rep. Josh Riley in the 19th District, along with state legislative and local candidates. The group said it expected its list of winners to grow as results came in but did not specify which of the other endorsed candidates had won.
This report is based on information from Citizen Action of New York.
Source: Citizen Action of New York
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