It’s nice to be noticed, especially on the day before an election:
“We actually believe that you can use the power of the state to mitigate some of the inequalities inherent in a market society,” Mr. Cantor says. In recent years, the labor-backed group has leveraged those state powers more effectively than party officials ever imagined possible, campaigning to propel Democrats into control of the Senate, boost the minimum wage, reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws, and champion a so-called millionaires tax.
That’s from the Crain’s article on us from this week, “The growing clout of left-wing party”. It highlights how successful we’ve been at bringing progressive change to New York. It’s nice to be recognized by one of New York City’s premier business publications.
The party gives its union and community affiliates the chance to step beyond the traditional bread-and-butter issues they regularly deal with on behalf of members to tackle broader social matters like the environment, housing and the minimum wage. Tuesday’s primary, which has dozens of WFP-backed candidates running in both local and citywide races, will be a test of whether the 11-year-old party can replicate its statewide success here in the city. The outcome in six council races—where the group endorsed upstart community organizers—and the comptroller, public advocate and Manhattan district attorney races will be watched particularly closely in local political circles. Insiders say the party’s candidates have a good chance of winning in four of the six council races and to force runoffs in the comptroller and public advocate contests.
“They’ve really emerged as a force, and by the end of day Tuesday could be even more potent,” says Douglas Muzzio, a political scientist at Baruch College. “If they get any number of the insurgent council candidates to win, that will really be a coup.”
By “insurgent candidates”, Crain’s is referring to the slate of community organizers described here.
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