Progressive insurgents unite to fight for affordable health care, living wages and a fairer economy as Cynthia tours upstate New York

Syracuse, NY — Democratic candidate for governor Cynthia Nixon and state senate candidate for the 53rd district Rachel May today cross endorsed each other’s campaigns at a press conference in Syracuse. At Forman Park with May, Democratic candidate for attorney general Zephyr Teachout and justice advocate Akeem Browder, Cynthia spoke of her commitment to health care as a universal right and plans to take on big insurance and pharmaceutical companies to combat the rising health care costs. She also vowed to fight for New York families struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, equal pay for equal work, making childcare more affordable, fully funding education, and housing programs to help strengthen families.

May is running on a progressive platform that supports the New York Health Act, funding New York schools through Foundation Aid, and the Reproductive Health Act. Her opponent, State Senator David Valesky is best known as the deputy leader of the IDC, the rogue group of Democrats supported by Governor Andrew Cuomo that have continuously blocked progressive legislation in Albany.

“I am proud to stand with Cynthia and to endorse her campaign for Governor. Like many women running for office this year, we are not career politicians. Nor are we new to public service,” said Rachel May. “We are women who have led successful careers, who care deeply about our families and communities, and who have worked to make progress happen for every New Yorker. It always takes courage to run for office, but I think it takes an extra dose of backbone to run for office against established incumbents. Primaries are the places where voters get to decide which ideas should shape their party. Cynthia and I are running to make sure that New York Democrats have a bold, forward-looking vision. I hope that voters here in Syracuse and Central New York will join us in looking forward on September 13th.”

The endorsement took place as part of Cynthia’s multi-day tour of upstate New York. Cynthia has already visited Rochester, and Ithaca, and will also be visiting Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and Kingston this weekend.

“I am excited to be here to endorse Rachel May for State Senate, and I am honored to receive her endorsement,” said Cynthia. “Rachel is the future. She is an advocate and an organizer. She has fought to improve the lives of people in this district, and for economic justice to help working families. She knows what our state needs because she has lived it and because she isn’t afraid to say it. And I couldn’t be more proud to be fighting alongside her.”

Cynthia has been endorsed by progressive candidates and organizations nationally and across New York, including the Working Families Party, Daily Kos, Democracy for America and Bernie Sanders’ grassroots group, Our Revolution.

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