Endorsing in the spirit of a diverse and progressive city —

5 min readJun 21, 2021

Endorsing in the spirit of a diverse and progressive city —

In The Fight’s First Endorsement Slate

Members of ITF NBK and other community members gather to inform voters about Sandy Nurse and Jen Guitterez for Council.

Just over a year after officially launching as a grassroots organization focused on advancing progress politics in North Brooklyn, In The Fight has released our first ever full slate of endorsements for key races in 2021 municipal elections.

In all due humility, we’re incredibly proud and pleased to endorse a group of progressive candidates that reflects North Brooklyn as well as the wider city: multiracial, multigenerational, with experience in different sectors, and a common progressive vision for a city politics and policymaking that serves the many and not just the privileged few.

Below is more about each of the nine candidates on our endorsement slate — including aspects of their backgrounds, how they came to the work of progressive politics, policymaking, and organizing, and why we believe that they can help make important change as elected officials in these offices.

Unless otherwise noted, we encourage readers to rank these candidates first on their Ranked Choice Voting ballots (for City Council Candidates, if they are running to represent you) on or before June 22, 2021. Learn more about Ranked Choice Voting here.

We’re so excited to support these candidates, staying in the fight with them as we work closer to that progressive vision of a more equitable, more just North Brooklyn and larger city.

Need information on voting in the June 22 primary challenge generally? We have a guide for that!

Members of ITF and other community members gather in a park, excited to be organizing for progressive candidates for the June 2021 NYC primary.

Maya Wiley — NYC Mayor

Through her work as a civil rights lawyer and activist, Maya Wiley has a proven record of fighting for vital change. She dreams big but also works pragmatically. She has the know-how, skill, and deep desire to get the work done that’s necessary to make a more equitable city. NYC has never elected a Black woman to lead it as Mayor, and that’s long overdue.

Maya, a Black woman with lovely salt and pepper hair in braids tied up, smies at the camera. She wears white earrings and blue dress jacket.

Brad Lander — NYC Comptroller

Brad has a proven record of fighting for the things that matter — like any good Warren Democrat, through bold pragmatism and smart governance guided by grassroots values. As Comptroller, Brad will focus on building an equitable city economy and a social infrastructure to handle the big issues of today and tomorrow.

Brad, a white man, looks to the side and forward of the camera angle. He wears a blue sport jacket, light blue top, and a blue patterned tie. Behind him is an NYC skyline.

Antonio Reynoso — Brooklyn Borough President

Antonio impressed us with his commitment to structural change, deep wealth of policy knowledge, and clear love for Brooklyn and the people who live here. His record on City Council shows a leader who truly listens to his constituents, instead of bowing to political pressure or outside interests. For these reasons and more, Antonio was our clear choice for both Brooklyn Borough President and for ITF’s first ever endorsement.

(Wonder what a Borough President does? We got you!)

Antonio, a Latino man, crosses his arms and looks to the camera with a slight smile. He wears a grey jacket, light blue collared shirt, and a blue patterned tie. Behind him is the entrance to the Brooklyn bridge.

Stu Sherman (#1) and Elizabeth Adams (#2) — City Council District 33

Both Stu and Elizabeth share a long history of public service. We believe both candidates also possess the knowledge of the Council system and deep understanding of public policy to create the real, substantive change that New Yorkers need. We encourage our friends and neighbors in District 33 to rank Stu Sherman #1 and Elizabeth Adams #2 on their ballots on June 22.

Stu, a white man with a beard, looks with curiosity and a slight smile out from and to the side of the camera angle. He wears a dark blue collared shirt and a brown jacket.

Elizabeth, a blonde white woman with glasses, smiles and looks right at the camera, one hand on a hip. She wears a yellow top and a dark sport jacket.

Jen Gutiérrez — City Council District 34

Jen is an activist, organizer, lifelong New Yorker and the daughter of Colombian immigrants. She’s organized in the streets and served as City Council Member Antonio Reynoso’s Chief of Staff, among other accomplishments. She brings a bright smile and caring spirit, but also no shortage of fervor to make important change!

Jen, a Latina with shorter curly hair, smiles and looks right to the camera. She wears a white shirt and a gold chain necklace. Behind her is green parkspace.

Crystal Hudson — City Council District 35

In the Fight North Brooklyn is proud to endorse Crystal Hudson for City Council District 35! Starting with her experience being a caretaker for her mother, Crystal is a community organizer committed to advancing change in District 35 neighborhoods.

Crystal Hudson, a short-haired Black woman, smiles big and looks to the camera. She wears a blue patterned colored shirt. Behind her are stairs leading up to Brooklyn brownstones.

Chi Ossé — City Council District 36

Chi is an organizer and activist who made a real mark on local organizing through the Black Lives Matter movement. As a Councilmember, Chi will bring fresh, bold ideas, a gift for communication, and an organizer’s view of how we collectively make change. We’re thrilled to be in the fight with Chi!

Chi, a short-haired Black man with glasses, looks to the camera with a slight smile. He wears a light blue collar shirt and a darker blue sweater. Behind him is a basketball court buzzing with activity.

Sandy Nurse — City Council District 37

As a Councilmember, Sandy will bring her lived experience as a neighborhood organizer and advocate to the role, providing much-needed assistance for a chronically underrepresented part of Brooklyn. She has spent nearly a decade building alternative institutions to fill in support gaps in her neighborhood, including jumping in to provide mutual aid and food distribution during the Covid-19 crisis.Sandy is the clear, progressive choice for City Council in District 37.

Sandy, a Black woman, looks out and to the side of the camera angle. She wears red lipstick, a yellow shirt, and hoop earrings, with beautiful nature hair.

Written by In The Fight NBK