NYPAN Endorses Bernie Sanders for President of the United States

Tonight, the Board of Directors of the New York Progressive Action Network, composed of representatives of the members of thirty-four Chapters and Affiliates across New York State, voted overwhelmingly to endorse United States Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for President of the United States in the 2020 Democratic Primary Election.

NYPAN has now come full-circle: having been formed out of Bernie Sanders’ 2016 Presidential campaign in New York State, and after expanding to include progressives of all stripes and preferences, NYPAN has returned to supporting Bernie as the most progressive and viable of all the current Democratic candidates.

George Albro, NYPAN founder, Downstate Co-Chair, and a delegate for Bernie Sanders to the 2016 Democratic National Convention, commented:

“This endorsement was a no-brainer. Bernie is not only a consistent advocate for the most progressive policy positions—Medicare for All, free public college tuition, racial justice, ending income inequality, saving the planet, etc.—but he is the strongest candidate with the best chance to beat Trump. While other candidates have adopted some of Bernie’s policies after assessing which way the political wind is blowing, Bernie IS THE WIND, having advocated for these and other progressive policies before they were popular.”

Traci Strickland, NYPAN’s Organization Co-Chair and a fellow delegate for Bernie Sanders in 2016, added:

“Contrary to the mainstream media myths, Bernie now has even more support and broader appeal than in 2016. Just ask the 13,000+ diverse folks who braved the snow and arrived three hours early at Bernie’ Brooklyn College kick-off rally last month. The enthusiasm was palpable. Or ask the 40,000 Californians who attending one of three weekend rallies. No one comes even close to Bernie’s level of broad support. In one month, over one million volunteers, $18 million raised from 900,000 contributions (average of $20). This is no longer just a campaign: it is a mass movement that will not only take down Trump but push Congress to pass a people’s agenda.”

Jay Bellanca, NYPAN’s Upstate Co-Chair and also a delegate for Bernie Sanders in 2016, summed it all up perfectly:

“In 2016, despite restrictive primary voting rules, Bernie won every New York county north of Orange County and massed 42% of the vote against Hillary Clinton in her home state. Aware of their power, New York voters went on to wipe out the IDC; defeat or force out fifteen incumbent State Senators, replacing them with new and determined progressive Democrats who have already begun to pass historic reforms; and shock the world with the election of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. In this new world of politics, Bernie will win the New York primary.”