DLCC Flips 40 Seats From Red to Blue

 

WASHINGTON — The DLCC and state Democrats have now flipped 40 legislative seats from red to blue since Trump was elected in 2016.

 

Tonight in New York, Assemblymembers-elect Steve Stern, Ari Espinal, Harvey Epstein, and Nathalia Fernandez won special elections for four New York State Assembly Districts, including flipping AD-10 from red to blue and expanding Democrats’ majority in the state’s lower legislative chamber.

 

Senator-elect Luis Sepúlveda won the special election for Senate District 32, while Senator-elect Shelley Mayer claimed victory in the critical special election for Senate District 37, putting Senate Democrats on the path to gaining the majority, under the leadership of DLCC Board member and New York Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

“Democrats have now flipped 40 legislative seats from red to blue since 2016, and you know what, we’re not at all sick of winning yet,” said Jessica Post, DLCC Executive Director. “Once again, the DLCC’s strategic insight, unique relationships with our legislators, and unparalleled expertise have proven to be a winning combination. As the DLCC continues to flip critical seats and chambers, energize the electorate, and lay the foundation for success in 2018 midterms and beyond, we are confident that our work rebuilding the Democratic Party from the ground up will set Democrats up for success in the decade following 2020 redistricting.

“We plan on electing many more Democrats throughout 2018. We’re only 16 seats away from flipping eight chambers, and the DLCC will continue our fight to win Democratic majorities in statehouses nationwide so we can bring back the values Democrats fight for every day to our state legislatures – from standing up for working families, to making health care affordable and accessible, to protecting human rights and fighting for equality, to investing in the next generation through strengthening our public education in America, voters are making their voices heard loud and clear.”

Assemblymember-elect Steve Stern flipped the 40th legislative seat from red to blue since the 2016 election, carrying AD-10 with 59% of the vote and improving on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 vote share in the district by seven points. An elder law attorney and Suffolk County Legislator, Stern has a long history of working on important issues that impact seniors and working families in the area.

In AD-39, Assemblymember-elect Ari Espinal won the special election for AD-39. Espinal, a district leader for four years, was born and raised in Queens and looks forward to addressing overcrowded public schools and working to protect all New Yorkers – regardless of immigration status – as a member of the Assembly.

Assemblymember-elect Harvey Epstein carried the special election for AD-74, winning over 90% of the vote. Epstein has been a community leader for more than 20 years. For the past decade, Harvey has been the Director of the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center (UJC). As a member of the Assembly, Epstein will fight to advance a progressive agenda in Albany.

In AD-80, Assemblymember-elect Nathalia Fernandez won the special election with over 80% of the vote. Fernandez will build on her years of experience serving her community and be a strong voice for her constituents in Albany. Her message of improving public schools, preserving community values, ensuring access to affordable and quality health care, and addressing the opioid epidemic in the Bronx resonated with her future constituents. 

The DLCC was an integral part of Democrats’ success tonight, including Mayer and Stern on its list of Spotlight Races and investing nearly $500,000 in New York Democrats’ campaign efforts. Tonight’s win comes on the heels of the DLCC announcing a new record for first quarter fundraising of more than $5 million, with $1 million coming from online donations. The DLCC is on track to spend $35 million this election cycle, and has highlighted some of their state Democratic candidates to know in 2018 at races.dlcc.org. With Democrats only 16 seats away from flipping eight chambers, you can read about the DLCC’s 2018 roadmap here.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is the only organization exclusively committed to electing Democrats to state legislatures all over the country and winning Democratic control of chambers. For over two decades, the DLCC has been working with state legislative leaders to invest strategically in state programs, which has led to Democrats flipping 40 seats since Trump’s inauguration. The DLCC is building on Democrats’ winning momentum and continues to lay the groundwork for substantial gains in 2018 in statehouses nationwide. State Democrats recently scored critical victories in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, and elsewhere, while also leading the resistance against the Trump administration’s extremist policies. You can learn more about critical upcoming elections and follow DLCC’s Spotlight Races at races.dlcc.org.

For more information or to schedule an interview with the DLCC, please contact Mara Sloan at [email protected].