IPNYC 13th Annual Ant-Corruption Awards

Yesterday I attended the Independence Party New York City Organization's 13th Annual Anti-Corruption Awards and Fund Raiser. It sub-title was: Time To "GAL" Vanize" honoring Independent Woman. The two honorees were: Stephanie Orosco and Jacqueline Salit.

Stephanie Orosco - is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro studying Sociology and African-American studies. She took part in a state-wide survey of college students designed to better understand the political independence of students. She also is the founder of the UNCG College Independents.

Jacqueline Salit - is the President of IndependentVoting.org. She managed Michael Bloomberg's three campaigns for Mayor on the Independence line, and is the author of the recently released book Independent Rising. She made her off-Broadway debut in 2012, playing James Madison in the Castillo Theater's production of Sally and Tom (The American Way) which I really enjoyed.

Also attending the event were some 2013 Mayoral candidates: New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn(D), New York State Senator Malcolm Smith(D) running for the Republican line in the primary; and former Bronx Borough President and former White House Director of Urban Affairs Aldolfo Carrion Jr.(I) running for the Republican line in the primary.



Adolfo Carrion Jr. - "I have declared my independence. I will tell you that it feels good. Community matters more than party. I grew up in he city in the 1970s. I was a teenager. You know that city. We can't go back. It's going to require independent leadership."

Other 2013 candidates said:

In 2009, Bill Thompson received more votes for mayor on the Democratic line than Mayor Michael Bloomberg received on the Republican line, but Bloomberg prevailed in the unexpectedly close race thanks to the 150,073 votes he secured on the Independence Party line. Yesterday, Thompson, who is running for mayor again, said he'll seek the Independence Party's support this year.

Publisher Tom Allon, is a Republican candidate for Mayor of New York City in 2013. He is the owner of Manhattan Media. A Democrat-turned-Republican said he too would seek the Independence Party's support.

"A candidate's registration is not a deciding factor for us," Jacqueline Salit, a leader of the Independence Party said. "That's one of the great things about having fusion politics. But we're very gratified Carrion became an independent and we're very gratified that the three candidates came here today."

Another leading member of the party, Dr. Lenora Fulani, said we are open to talking with other mayoral candidates as well. They said they were interested in hearing mayoral candidates talk about rebuilding New York after Hurricane Sandy, and about electoral reform.



Mayor Michael Bloomberg made a cameo appearance saluting Jackie Salit on her award.

For now, the Independence Party's support is up for grabs and I am on the Selection Committee.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!

Michael H. Drucker
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