For Immediate Release
Sep 14, 2005
EMILY's List Celebrates Four Victories in New York City Council Primary - Political Opportunity Program Candidates Mendez, Lappin, Mark Viverito, and Mealy Sweep to Victory
WASHINGTON, D.C. - EMILY's List, the nation's largest grassroots political network and financial resource for women running for elective office, and its Political Opportunity Program, which supports women running for state and local office, today celebrated four victories in the New York City Council primary election.
EMILY's List extended its support to Rosie Mendez, District 2; Jessica Lappin, District 5; Melissa Mark Viverito, District 8; and Darlene Mealy, District 41. All four women were victorious last night in remarkable victories marking a change in the face of the New York City Council.
Rosie Mendez (District 2) won a hard fought victory in a primary that saw seven candidates aiming for the open council seat. Mendez has been an advocate for housing and legal rights and an outspoken proponent of gay and lesbian rights.
Jessica Lappin's (District 5) win means she is positioned to serve in the seat of her former boss, Council speaker Gifford Miller. At 30, Lappin is a rising political star, who most recently served as Miller's district chief of staff and was on his staff for seven years.
Melissa Mark Viverito (District 8) won a hard-fought race by a handful of votes. She emerged victorious from a crowded field of six candidates. Most recently, Mark Viverito served as a strategic organizer for 1199 SEIU, which is New York's healthcare union.
Darlene Mealy (District 41) won the primary for the only open council seat in Brooklyn, defeating nine opponents in a decisive victory. Mealy is a political newcomer who, in their endorsement of her, the New York Times said, "Ms. Mealy has the makings of a dragon slayer."
"The success of these four women shows the power of the Political Opportunity Program and how women can win when given the right tools to do so," said Karen M. White, national political director of EMILY's List. "EMILY's List members enthusiastically embrace these four women as they prepare to become new members of the New York City Council. The accomplishments of all four of these women are truly a victory for all New York City women."
The New York City Council is comprised of 51 members from the five boroughs of New York City. The council is responsible for approving the City's budget and overseeing the operation and performance of city agencies. Members may serve for two consecutive four-year terms of office.
The Political Opportunity Program has targeted New York, along with 15 other states, as part of its state 10-year plan. This plan seeks to elect pro-choice Democratic women in key state and local offices.
"When they are sworn in as new members of the City Council, these four women will make a real impact on how New York City tackles the tough issues effecting its residents," said Kate Coyne-McCoy, east coast regional director of the Political Opportunity Program. "These women have all been activists in their individual communities and now they have the opportunity to work together to make their city even better."
EMILY's List is the largest political action committee in the nation. EMILY's List has helped elect 61 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 11 to the U.S. Senate, and eight governors. EMILY's List has also helped elect hundreds of pro-choice Democratic women to state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and key local offices. In 2001, EMILY's List expanded its support of pro-choice Democratic women candidates by establishing its Political Opportunity Program (POP). Through POP, EMILY's List is developing and nurturing the next generation of pro-choice Democratic women political leaders by investing in women candidates at the state and local levels.