I was the first person in my ED to vote this morning. And the third at my voting machine. It was the first time I used one of the new machines because they weren't working last election at my polling place.

Too often I hear people don't bother with off-year elections. But let me remind you that if you have to go before a judge (housing court, family court, whatever), would you rather that judge was a good, honest judge or merely a political crony of a political boss? It is off-year elections that determine the quality of our judiciary.

This year there is also a special election for Congress and a special election for Assembly. These are both races that can affect the fate of a woman's right to choose and of marriage equality. So they are worth paying attention to.

Below are some endorsements to help your choose.

LAMBDA INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS:

David Weprin for U.S. House of Representatives, 9th Congressional District
David Weprin has been an outspoken supporter of the LGBT community for many years, and he has consistently voted to support marriage equality as an Assemblyman. His opponents are trying to use his marriage votes against him in their campaign to win the seat. Plus, the national Republican party is pouring large amounts of resources into this race so they can claim to have a mandate from the American people for their radical agenda. Let’s make sure David wins.

Volunteers are needed for Get Out the Vote efforts on September 10th, 12th and 13th. People are needed to make phone calls, go door-to-door, and stand outside polling locations. To volunteer, please contact Brian Linder at Brian.A.Linder@gmail.com or (516) 205-2531. To make a contribution, click here.

Jesus Gonzalez for State Assembly, 54th Assembly District
LID is proud to support Jesus Gonzalez, who is running on the Working Families Party line. The Democrat in this race is both anti-choice and anti-marriage equality. Jesus Gonzalez, on the other hand, is a fresh new voice with a progressive vision for his district. He has been endorsed by New Kings Democrats, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, District Leader Lincoln Restler and many other progressive leaders and groups.

Volunteers are needed for phonebanking at 2 Nevins Street every weeknight from 5pm to 9pm and on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. The campaign also needs people to canvass the district on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Pollsite captains are needed for Election Day from 6am to 9pm. Additional volunteers are needed on Election Day from 6am to 10am and from 5pm to 9pm. Please contribute or volunteer here, or contact the volunteer coordinator, Ivan Luevanos, directly at iluevanos@gmail.com.

Cheryl Gonzales for Countywide Civil Court Judge (Kings County)
Judge Gonzales is currently a Housing Court judge who is widely respected by her peers. On the first day of marriage equality, she volunteered to preside over the civil weddings of dozens of same-gender couples in Brooklyn. Judge Gonzales has a deep knowledge of the law and brings a human touch to her courtroom. She was also endorsed recently by The New York Times.

NEW YORK TIMES ENDORSEMENTS:

For the United States House of Representatives
Ninth District (Brooklyn and Queens): David Weprin

For Civil Court:
Manhattan (Third District): Tony Cannataro
Brooklyn (boroughwide): Cheryl Gonzales

52nd Assembly District County Committee Recommendations:
Civil Court Judge: (2 seats) Cheryl Gonzalez, Peter Sweeney (incumbent)

Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats: (old school liberal reform club)
Civil Court Judge: (2 seats) Cheryl Gonzalez, Peter Sweeney (incumbent)

New Kings Democrats: (new, up and coming progressive reform club) Jesus Gonzalez in the 54th Assembly District (seat vacated by Darryl Towns)
Cheryl Gonzalez and Peter Sweeney for Brooklyn Civil Court Judge (2 seats open)

[NOTE: Sweeney, endorsed by three clubs, wound up unopposed after some rumors of an opponent]

DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS:

DID is proud to announce endorsements of four dynamic Democratic District Leaders for the September 13, 2011 primary elections.

Paul Newell Male Candidate 64th Assembly District, Part C

Jenifer Rajkumar Female Candidate 64th Assembly District, Part C

Jean B. Grillo Female Candidate 66th Assembly District, Part B

John R. Scott Male Candidate 66th Assembly District, Part B

Paul Newell and Jean Grillo are running for re-election in their districts. They are proven and formidable leaders.

Jenifer Rajkumar and John Scott are running for District Leader for the first time. They may be first time for District Leader, but they come with enormous credentials of community and political leadership.

From two Firefighters Unions:

Firefighters, Officers Endorse David Weprin
for Congress

Today, at “The Enchanted Cottage,” Engine 305 in Forest Hills, New York, David
Weprin, Democratic Candidate for Congress in New York’s Ninth Congressional
District, received the endorsement of the the Uniformed Fire Officers Association
(UFOA) and United Firefighters Association (UFA).

"Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect New Yorkers, and we
need leaders like David Weprin fighting on the front lines for us in Washington,”
said UFOA President Al Hagan. “At every opportunity, David Weprin has stood up
for firefighters--by supporting working men and women at every turn and fighting
to protect the homeland security funding that ensures we can do our jobs safely
and effectively. He will fight against efforts in Washington to cut the Medicare and Social Security programs so many of our retired members rely on, and we
enthusiastically endorse David Weprin for the United States Congress."
Click here for a photo from the event.

"The UFA is proud to endorse David Weprin for Congress. As City Council
Finance Chair, David Weprin fought efforts to shutter FDNY companies that keep
our communities safe and secure. He understands the dangerous and difficult
job of firefighters, and we are confident he will do everything in his power when in Congress to see that the FDNY has needed funding and resources to protect New Yorkers," Jim Slevin, Vice President and Legislative Chair of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, said. "David Weprin is a leader who will protect the benefits firefighters and first responders have earned over a lifetime of hard work. He'll fight the Republican efforts to cut Medicare and Social Security and will stand up for the working families who call Queens and Brooklyn home. That's why I join the UFOA and UFA in my proud support of David Weprin for Congress," said Congressman Joe Crowley.

"We need a strong partner in Congress like David Weprin who will stand with us
to keep firehouses open and ensure first responders have the resources they
need to protect us. Working men and women throughout New York can count on
David Weprin to protect their rights and fight against any cuts to the vital Social Security and Medicare programs they have paid into throughout their entire
careers," said City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, Chair of the New York City
Council Fire and Criminal Justice Committee.

New York City has one of the largest fire departments in the world, with over
11,000 firefighters and over 3,300 EMTs and paramedics.

“I am honored to receive the support of the UFA and the UFOA. Each and every
day, New York’s Bravest make untold sacrifices to keep our city safe,” said
Weprin. “At a time when the financial security of millions of Americans is in
jeopardy, it is critical that those who have sacrificed so much for us – our
firefighters and first responders – know that Social Security and Medicare will be
there for them. In Congress, I will fight to make sure that no first responder, nor their families, have to worry whether the benefits they’ve earned over a lifetime will be there when they need them.”

From a Teacher's Union:

Teachers Endorse David Weprin for Congress

Weprin supports middle class families compared to Turner who wants to end
Medicare and eliminate Department of Education

QUEENS, NY – Today in front of PS 64 Elementary School in Ozone Park, David
Weprin, Democratic Candidate for Congress in New York’s Ninth
Congressional District, received the endorsement of the United Federation of
Teachers (UFT), the organization that represents New York City public school
teachers. The UFT endorsed Weprin because he is the only candidate in the
race they can trust to protect Medicare and Social Security and because Bob
Turner wants to eliminate the Department of Education.

"In these times of fiscal uncertainty and growing income inequality, New
Yorkers need a strong Democratic voice in Washington to help put his
country back on the right track,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew said. “David
Weprin will fight for the national policies New Yorkers need to solve the
problems of our economy, and to keep the promises of Social Security and
Medicare."

While David Weprin has fought to protect education and seniors, radical Bob
Turner supports a reckless budget plan that would end Medicare and Social
Security as we know it and eliminate the federal Department of Education.
Bob Turner proposes cutting the federal budget by one-third and refused to
close tax loopholes for Big Oil or companies that ship jobs overseas. Under
his plan, it is impossible to protect the Medicare, Social Security, and
education programs middle class families depend on.

“We can make no better investment in the nation’s future than to support the
teachers who instruct our children,” said Weprin. “I am proud to receive the
endorsement of the UFT, and I look forward to working with them in
Congress to protect Social Security and Medicare for the thousands of New
York Educators who depend on those programs and to ensure our schools
have the resources and support they need to prepare our young people to
take on the challenges of the changing global economy.”

The United Federation of Teachers represents approximately 200,000 local
members. The UFT’s endorsement of Weprin is the latest in a growing list of
endorsements that includes Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and
Joe Lieberman, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Congressman Joe
Crowley, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, New York City Comptroller John
Liu, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the Uniformed Fire Officers
Association, Uniformed Firefighters Association, the New York City
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, the United Food and Commercial
Workers, and a host of other elected officials and organizations.

From a Police Union:

Police Endorse Weprin for Congress

Cite 9/11 Health Care bill, Preserving Medicare as key to
support

QUEENS, NY – David Weprin, Candidate for Congress in New York’s Ninth
Congressional District, today announced the endorsement of the Patrolmen’s
Benevolent Association (PBA). The PBA represents over 24,000 police officers in
New York City and an additional 30,000 police retirees. The organization cited
Weprin’s unwavering support for the 9/11 Zadroga Health Care Act and his
commitment to protecting Medicare and Social Security as the main factors for
their endorsement.

“David Weprin has a wealth of experience in local and state government that will
serve his constituents well in Washington. His support of law enforcement and
middle class families is well documented during his tenure in the NYC Council,
the State Assembly and as the Deputy Superintendent of Banks in New York
State,” PBA president Patrick J. Lynch said. “We know we can trust David
Weprin to fight to protect the Medicare and Social Security benefits
working families rely on, and his background in finance and his service as
the chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee will be of great value
during these difficult financial times. David has been an effective and honest
public servant who will represent us well in Congress. The New York City
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association is proud to endorse David Weprin, a
true friend of law enforcement, for the United States Congress.”

David Weprin will be a strong advocate for the rights of police officers and all
middle class workers in Congress. He supports providing health benefits to all
9/11 first responders and the Employee Free Choice Act and opposes any and all
cuts to Social Security and Medicare. In contrast, his opponent Bob Turner does
not support health care benefits for 9/11 volunteers and supports a budget plan
that would decimate Medicare and Social Security.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of New York City’s Finest, who put
their lives on the line everyday to protect us,” said Weprin. “In Congress, I will
fight to protect Medicare and Social Security benefits to ensure a stable
retirement for New York police officers and all middle class families, and I will
work to ensure they have the resources they need to protect us.”