New York City Council Member Rosie Mendez
District Leader Anthony Feliciano
District Leader Jean Grillo
District Leader Paul Newell
Adam Silvera, Former District Leader of 16 years

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Former City Council Candidate Jin “PJ” Kim
Former City Council Candidate Pete Gleason

Tom Goodkind
Michael Kramer
Sean Sweeney
Jeanne Wilcke
Jim Stratton
Yetta Kurland
Andrew J. Neale

Adam Silvera, former District Leader of 16 years, Endorses Jenifer Rajkumar and Annoints her as Downtown Manhattan’s “Bashert”

Jenifer Rajkumar kicked off her campaign for District Leader this summer in front of the Statue of Liberty, which is a part of her Assembly District. There, she received the endorsement of Adam Silvera, the former District Leader of 16 years and an attorney at the Cochran Law Firm.  Adam’s remarks are below.
 
Good afternoon Democrats!

My grandmother Laura Friedman, may she rest in peace, would use a Yiddish expression, “Beshert.”  Beshert in Yiddish means destiny.  Beshert is often used as an expression when finding one’s soul mate.  I’d like to anoint Jenifer as downtown’s Beshert.

In a sea of mediocrity, Jenifer stands out as a bright intelligent force. We need Jenifer to help Lower Manhattan, from Battery Park City to Avenue A.  Jenifer has spoken out in support of tenant rights and women’s rights. She has spoken out to preserve the Seaport.  She has spoken out to oppose the closing of firehouses.  In just a short time she has contributed a tremendous amount, and the best is yet to come. 

As the former district leader of this neighborhood for 16 years, I urge all democrats in lower Manhattn to join me in voting for Jenifer.

I am most impressed with Jenifer’s commitment to helping the most forgotten vulnerable members of our community.  While still a student, Jenifer worked to assist victims of domestic violence in this very district she is running in.  As a lawyer, she has worked on cases to protect people with disabilities and to protect whistleblowers.
 
I would like to note that it is particularly fitting that Jenifer as a daughter of immigrants is running in this district.  This district has and remains today one of the first neighborhoods where immigrants still live today and make this city what it is today.
 
God bless you Jenifer.  Thank you for your commitment to Lower Manhattan and good luck.  We will win big this September.  I will be with you to the very end.

Jenifer Rajkumar has the dynamism, energy and understanding that we need right now. While Rajkumar’s integrity and commitment to progressive values are unshakable, she knows that democracy is a consultative process. Her ability to listen to our community, help craft solutions to community problems and work hard to realize those goals is an inspiration. Lower Manhattan, and the New York Democratic Party need Jenifer’s voice.

I am proud to endorse Jenifer Rajkumar for District Leader.

-Paul Newell, Democratic District Leader, 64th Assembly District, Part C

Downtown Manhattan is the fastest growing residential community in New York City and we need new leadership that can bridge the present and the future. Jenifer Rajkumar also represents the honesty and integrity that our political system sorely needs right now.  She is a true voice for reform and she will make us proud. Vote Jenifer Rajkumar for District Leader this Tuesday, September 13th.

Jin “PJ” Kim, Former Candidate for New York City Council

I can think of no one better to be our district leader than Jenifer Rajkumar. She’s dedicated her entire career to social justice, and will bring the same passion and intensity to representing all of us to the democratic party. She is one of the great minds of my generation, and would be a tremendous asset in our work toward a better future.

–Zac Townsend, Financial District Resident, Chair of the Manhattan Young Democrat’s (MYD) Economics Committee*

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In my 40+ years of activism in lower Manhattan, I’ve never seen such flair, intelligence and drive. We need Jenifer Rajkumar. Vote for change on September 13.

–Sean Sweeney, Community Board 2, Executive Committee; Director, SoHo Alliance *

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Jenifer has been an incredible burst of energy and drive within the Downtown Independent Democrats, especially in terms of addressing the needs of women to speak up and be heard within their communities. More importantly, she is a doer, someone who shows up, does the crummy behind the scenes work, but also does her homework. She’s not
only smart, she’s very, very caring.

–Jean Grillo, Democratic District Leader; former president Lab School PTA *

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A FUTURE LEADER

I strongly support Jenifer Rajkumar as District Leader. Her credentials, both legal and volunteer work, are impressive. More than that, she is well grounded and her strength of character shines through.

We must do all we can to support and encourage such progressive and intelligent young candidates. They are our future leadership!

–Jeanne Wilcke, President, The Downtown Independent Democrats (DID)

I wholeheartedly endorse the candidacy of Jenifer Rajkumar.

I live Downtown and am fortunate enough to be building a law firm here. I know that we need someone like Jenifer to work for us: she’s someone who not only obviously has the enthusiasm, but also the vision we need.

Jenifer focuses on the local issues that matter to us Downtown, but does so with a broad perspective about what is good for the City and Nation. She is the progressive choice for Downtown.

–John G. Balestriere, Attorney at trials and investigations law firm Balestriere Fariello*

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