We are now accepting endorsement inquiries for races in 2023. See application instructions below.
– Running for office in Brooklyn? Please contact us no later than October 21st.
– Running for office in Queens? Please contact us no later than October 15th.
– Running for office in Manhattan or The Bronx? Please contact us no later than November 1st.
What is a DSA endorsement?
NYC-DSA’s electoral work is focused on building the power we need to advance our policy goals for New York City. We work to elect socialist representatives who will use their votes and the powers of their office to lift up the demands of the working class and materially support NYC-DSA’s work in the areas of housing, health, and economic justice; decarceration; and racial and gender equity. You can read our platform for New York City here.
An NYC-DSA endorsement is not simply another logo to add to a candidate’s direct mail. Instead, it is a grassroots, large-scale volunteer mobilization effort that derives its power and legitimacy from a democratic process that engages a broad base of our membership.
We view electioneering — and especially our canvassing operations — as an opportunity to build popular support for our policy goals and our movement.
What are the steps in the DSA endorsement process?
Our endorsement process is thorough and democratic, and includes several rounds of meetings, an in-depth questionnaire, candidate forums, and votes by multiple membership bodies across NYC-DSA.
The process begins with a small group meeting between our Candidate Recruitment Team and the candidate.The candidate will be asked to complete a detailed endorsement questionnaire. Following receipt and review of the questionnaire by NYC-DSA’s Electoral Working Group, the candidate may be asked to attend a candidate forum with members of the Electoral Working Group, who will vote whether to recommend the candidate for endorsement. The endorsement process then moves to NYC-DSA’s geographic branches. The members of the branch (or branches) where the candidate’s district is located will vote whether to recommend the candidate for endorsement.
Finally, NYC-DSA’s Citywide Leadership Committee (CLC), will consider the recommendations from the Electoral Working Group and the relevant branches, and will vote whether NYC-DSA will endorse the candidate. The CLC is made up of elected members from every branch within the chapter, and their vote makes the chapter’s endorsement of the candidate official.
How do I apply for a DSA endorsement?
Candidates seeking NYC-DSA’s endorsement should begin the application process by emailing endorsements@socialists.nyc, including the following information in the body of the email:
- Full name
- Pronouns
- Elected position and district seat you are seeking
- Short bio with your reason for running
- Where you’re at in the process of developing your candidacy (e.g., considering running, actively seeking endorsement, etc.)
We will follow up to arrange a meeting with members of our Candidate Recruitment Team.
To be considered for endorsement, candidates must complete the NYC-DSA questionnaire. The questionnaire is detailed and comprehensive, and candidates should plan to spend a substantial amount of time completing it. We strongly prefer to meet with candidates prior to sending them the questionnaire.
We ask that candidates contact us asap to begin the 2022 endorsement process.
As a member-led and member-funded organization, our capacity is limited and we receive many inquiries about endorsement. Please understand that we cannot invite all candidates to speak in front of our membership.