Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th, 2023. There will be voting on ballot proposals, and city races for City Council and Civil Court Judges in New York City.
Throughout the last decade New Yorkers of common sense and integrity have come to terms with the fact that progressivism, especially the 21st Century version of progressivism, does not work and is destroying our major cities. In 2012 the Republican Party bottomed out in urban America getting just 23% of the vote. Eight years later, that mark was up to 32%. If that trend goes another 9%–the Democrats will be unable to win a national election the rest of this century. Therefore, committed patriots of goodwill are not to abandon the cities. An American renewal and restored national glory are not possible if we cannot bring back places like New York City to semblance of workability. Currently the city deals with an illegal immigrant crisis brought on by the Biden administration, but induced by NYC’s decades of misguided policies, an education crisis that costs more and more to produce worse results over declining citizen enrollment, and financial and budgetary crisis.
Nearly a decade ago, there were just 3 out 51 Republican members of the New York City Council. Today, that number is up to 6 and de facto it is 8, with two Democratic members of the Common Sense Caucus frequently caucusing with the Republicans, and gaining more votes on the Republican line in their districts. In addition to retaining all 8 of these seats–we hope to see some pickups on Tuesday and we encourage you to vote. If you need to find your ballot visit https://www.nycvotes.org/meet-the-candidates/2023-general-election/ and if you need to locate your polling place, visit https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc
The following NYYRC Voter Guide for the 2023 Local Elections will look at two ballot proposals and city races, emphasizing our endorsed new candidates who are challenging, encouraging re-election of our incumbent members, and Republicans generally.
We will also be scoring each county committee on how successful they were at fielding a Republican candidate in each Council District this year.
BALLOT PROPOSALS
Ballot Proposal 1 — Removal of Small City School Districts From Special Constitutional Debt Limitation
This constitutional amendment removes the special debt limit for small city school districts. Debt limits would be established in state law for all school districts.
Our View: Vote “No”
Ballot Proposal 2 — Extending sewage project debt exclusion from debt limit
The proposed amendment to Article 8, section 5 of the Constitution extends for ten years the authority of counties, cities, towns, and villages to remove from their constitutional debt limits debt for the construction of sewage facilities.
Our View: Vote “No”
NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL
Our endorsed new candidates for this cycle who are challenging Democratic incumbents or vying for open seats in City Council races.
Bernard Chow for New York City Council, District 23 (Queens)
Daniella May for New York City Council, District 31 (Queens)
Paul Rodriguez for New York City Council, District 38 (Brooklyn)
Ying Tan for New York City Council, District 43 (Brooklyn)
You can read these four and more endorsements at our endorsements tab.
Vote to re-elect Republican incumbents and Club members in the New York City Council.
Re-elect Minority Leader Joe Borelli, District 51 (Staten Island)
Re-elect Minority Whip Inna Vernikov, District 48 (Brooklyn)
Re-elect Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, District 19 (Queens)
Re-elect Councilman David Carr, District 50 (Staten Island)
Voter Guide by Borough and District:
Explanation of (%) is how many ballot slots are in the districts for the county/borough party, whose job it is to field candidates whether through primary or uncontested. This is the most important job for party-building at the point the Republican Party is at in NYC. Unfortunately, despite a great opportunity we took a step back this year increasing this by 50% from 2017 to 2021. In 2025 the NYYRC plans to have a positive and productive role in candidate recruitment and offering candidates up to these lagging county parties, and every time a quality and vetted candidate by us is denied, we will broadcast it. Especially if the ballot slot ends up empty.
Manhattan (50%)
Manhattan has fielded Republican candidates in only 50% of the Council Districts. Please consider writing in your favorite Republican where there is not a candidate.
Bronx (75%)
The Bronx has fielded Republican candidates in three-fourths of the Council Districts, second best of the five boroughs.
Queens (93%)
Queens continues to be a source of Republican rebirth in the city leading with 93% of the competitive slots filled. Republican incumbent Joann Ariola is unopposed, and Councilman Bob Holden is on both the Democratic and Republican lines. Vote for him on the Republican line.
Brooklyn (56%)
Brooklyn fielded Republican candidates in just 56% of the Council Districts in the Borough, but does represent a battleground to pick up a few seats in south Brooklyn. NYYRC endorsed Republican candidate Ying Tan in the 43rd. Councilman Kalman Yeger is on both the Democratic and Republican lines. Vote for him on the Republican line.
Staten Island (67%)
Staten Island is the only Borough where there is currently a Republican majority, and in the future we hope to see a Republican endorsed candidate emerge in the Democratic held District.
If you are in a City Council District or have Civil Court Judges lines where there is no Republican candidate, please consider writing in your favorite Republican, perhaps your favorite NYYRC member.
OUTSIDE OF NYC ENDORSEMENTS
Judge Susan Sullivan-Bisceglia for the 9th Judicial District of the New York State Supreme Court.
Summer Johnson for Marion Town Supervisor (Wayne County, NY).
Colin Schmitt for New Windsor Town Supervisor (Orange County, NY).
You can read these three and more endorsements at our endorsements tab.