StreetsPAC Releases Final 2014 Albany Endorsements

Tuesday is Election Day, with races for statewide office and legislative seats in Albany taking up most of the ballot. While the general election tends to be less competitive than primary day in Democrat-dominated NYC, there are definitely some contests worth tracking tomorrow. To get caught up on the hot local races as well as the three ballot proposals New York voters will decide on, check out the Gotham Gazette election guide.

Meanwhile, StreetsPAC has released its final round of endorsements, for State Assembly and Senate seats in Manhattan and Long Island. Details below. You can review StreetsPAC questionnaire responses — from candidates on the ballot tomorrow in races throughout New York state — in this spreadsheet. See the StreetsPAC web site for the complete list of endorsements from NYC’s livable streets political action committee.

“We’re excited to make these three important endorsements before Tuesday’s election,” said David “Paco” Abraham, a StreetsPAC board member, in a press release. “Dan Quart and Michaelle Solages are young, up-and-coming leaders in Albany, and they are firmly committed to making streets safer both in their districts and across the state. And Adrienne Esposito is an experienced advocate who can help tip the balance towards smarter transportation policies in the Senate.”

Incumbent Dan Quart gets the StreetsPAC nod in Assembly District 73 (Upper East Side, Midtown East, Turtle Bay). Elected to the Assembly in 2011, Quart “has been a strong advocate for transit,” according to StreetsPAC, “especially the rapid implementation of all remaining phases of the Second Avenue subway.” StreetsPAC says Quart supports the Move NY toll reform plan and complete streets reclamations for Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Other District 73 candidates are David Casavis and Donal Butterfield.

StreetsPAC likes incumbent Michaelle Solages for another term in Nassau County’s Assembly District 22 (Elmont, Valley Stream, Floral Park, Franklin Square). StreetsPAC says Solages introduced legislation to require the state comptroller to review the privatization of public transit systems, like the handover of Nassau County’s bus service to a commercial operator. Solages is committed to improving street safety near schools and improving bike parking at LIRR stations, StreetsPAC says. Solages faces challenger Gonald Moncion.

In Suffolk County, StreetsPAC endorsed Adrienne Esposito for the open seat in Senate District 3 (Brookhaven, Patchogue, Islandia). StreetsPAC describes Esposito as “a long-time sustainability advocate” who has committed to push for more funding for complete streets projects, transit, and transit-oriented development. Tom Croci is also on the District 3 ballot.

“We urge all of New York State’s voters to make safe, complete streets a priority at the polls on Tuesday,” said StreetsPAC board member Peter Frishauf. “Whether it’s lower speed limits, wider implementation of speed cameras or reforming the DMV, legislators have a key role to play. We’re proud to back Dan, Michaelle and Adrienne.”