Join DSA

Back to Press Releases

ALL SIX NYC-DSA CANDIDATES QUALIFY FOR MATCHING FUNDS AT FIRST DEADLINE

ALL SIX NYC-DSA CANDIDATES QUALIFY FOR MATCHING FUNDS AT FIRST DEADLINE

Insurgent slate raises over $300,000 across campaigns, with a fundraising operation that was powered by in-district donors and unlocks additional funding to challenge the Albany establishment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: press@socialists.nyc

NEW YORK, NY, January 13, 2026 — In the first fundraising filing of the 2026 elections for State Legislature, all six insurgent candidates endorsed by New York City Democratic Socialists of America have gathered enough in-district donations to qualify for matching funds. The slate has raised this money while refusing any funding from for-profit corporations, law enforcement agencies, or the real estate industry. 

The January filing deadline is the first major test of the slate’s momentum and support within their districts. By meeting the threshold to qualify for matching funds, the grassroots movement propelling NYC-DSA’s six insurgent candidates will have its spending power multiplied at a rate of up to 12-to-1. 

“Working New Yorkers are demanding an affordable city, and our slate is running to be their fighters in Albany. That means going up against the real estate lobby and the millions of dollars that developers and landlords have stolen from our communities. It also means standing up to a corrupt political establishment that has passed legislative seats around as prizes to nepo babies and their cronies. This massive fundraising benchmark shows that our socialist slate has the support and the momentum to win real change in Albany and pass the agenda that Zohran ran on,” said NYC-DSA co-chair Gustavo Gordillo.

“Winning matching funds is how working class people can fight against the billionaires buying our elections, and all six campaigns unlocking the funds will power these challengers to take their message to their neighbors. But it’s not just about the money. This is a sign to working New Yorkers that our slate isn’t just making empty campaign promises, but running viable campaigns to deliver a socialist agenda in Albany,” said NYC-DSA co-chair Grace Mausser.

This cycle, NYC-DSA has endorsed the following candidates for State Assembly:

  • Aber Kawas (AD-34, Queens)
  • Christian Celeste Tate (AD-54, Brooklyn)
  • Conrad Blackburn (AD-70, Harlem)
  • David Orkin (AD-38, Queens)
  • Diana Moreno (AD-36, Queens) (special election February 3)
  • Eon Huntley (AD-56, Brooklyn)

NYC-DSA endorses candidates through a robust democratic process, in stark contrast to the backroom dealing that characterizes the oligarch-controlled major parties. NYC-DSA is considering further endorsements for this cycle.

ABOUT THE NYC-DSA STATE SLATE

Aber Kawas

Aber Kawas is a Palestinian community organizer and democratic socialist born and raised in New York City who is running to represent Queens in Assembly District 34. Aber is running to fight for affordability for all New Yorkers, protect immigrant families and stand up to ICE, and fund public transit to make buses fast, safe, and free. Website here.

Christian Celeste Tate

Christian Celeste Tate is a community organizer and democratic socialist running to represent parts of Bushwick and East New York (including Cypress Hills and City Line) in State Assembly District 54. Christian is running to keep people in their homes, defend our neighbors from ICE, and invest in public safety through community investment. Website here.

Conrad Blackburn

Conrad Blackburn is a Harlemite, public defender, union member, and democratic socialist running for New York State Assembly District 70 to put the people of Harlem first. Grounded in Harlem’s long tradition of Black radical politics, he believes socialism is simply community in action. Conrad is running to fight for a dignified life in Harlem, protect Harlem from displacement, and keep Harlem safe. Website here.

David Orkin

David Orkin is a workers’ rights attorney who has been organizing in the immigrant rights movement for over a decade. He’s dedicated his life to fighting for immigrants and workers, and is running in Assembly District 38 in Queens to take that fight to Albany by taxing the rich to fund universal childcare, healthcare, and fast and free buses, doing everything we can on the state level to protect our communities from ICE, and raising labor standards for all workers. Website here.

Diana Moreno

Diana Moreno came to this country when she was 11 years old and has been a labor organizer and immigrant workers’ advocate for over a decade. In this moment of political crisis and awakening, Diana is running to represent Assembly District 36 in the Feb. 3 special election to replace Mayor Zohran Mamdani, continue the fight for an affordable New York, and combat the rising tide of fascism. Website here.

Eon Huntley

Eon Huntley is a working dad, former PTA president, renter, and community organizer running to represent Assembly District 56 (Bedford-Stuyvesant and northern Crown Heights). Eon is running to stop big real estate from tearing his neighborhood apart, ensure an excellent education for every kid in Brooklyn from cradle to college, and fight for the affordability agenda New Yorkers deserve in Albany. Website here.

Get updates