Last thing: I want to challenge the line about how “today’s black elected officials” lack operation. While I agree that Evans and Meeks lack much, I don’t think it’s fair to make such a generalization about all “black elected officials.” It’s not a race divide, it’s about class, status, and their campaign donor bases above all. After all, it is Black candidates who gave us progressive victories, too! This generalized statement about Black politicians feels unfair :(
Agree! In context, I was referring to a Black political *machine, which does not exist after Gantt’s passing. A political machine derives its power from utilizing the ability to appoint people to jobs, make grants, and organize voters. A city Councilmember doesn’t have that same power as a mayor or state lawmaker. BUT, large scale grassroots organization is obviously possible as a counterweight, which is a way to increase voter participation. (See NYC.)
There’s a Democratic machine, but it is led by Morelle/Bello and it is not organizing the Black electorate.
Hope that made sense and appreciate your challenge so I could be more clear.
I totally agree with this all. In addition to not having the WFP support that the progressive candidates had in Albany/Buffalo/Syracuse/NYC, Malik Evans is also not such a clear evil the way that the establishment candidates were in the aforementioned cities. People who came out to vote for Mary were voting FOR her. People who voted for Zohran were both voting FOR him and AGAINST Cuomo. Over the next four years, we will have to much to build a base that not only likes progressive ideals, but also despises the moderate liberal vision of Rochester supported by the Evans establishment
The poor turnout may be a result of one of several factors; that people are so dissatisfied they don't vote, that they are so satisfied they don't vote, they don't care, or believe their vote is meaningless. It would be interesting for an academic study of Rochester's registered voters to determine the ratios of each. I too am glad Mary ran, I don't agree with her on some things and agree with her on others, she has a good heart and cares about people, and you are correct, incumbents need to be challenged to keep them honest.
interesting that the population dropped almost 3300 people since 2021, and the voter turnout dropped 7000 since 2021. So, 9.7% population voted vs 6.5. I'm betting you and Mary will dig into the causes of the % drop here since as you noted, it isn't the heat. Was it as you noted, the message of being able to lead the city? Is it identifying with the candidate? I appreciate the insight about the incumbent as well in regard to the view that the streets are plowed and things seems to mostly work as is, at least on a minimum level of satisfaction. Human nature is to resist the unknown even if the known isn't great. It's just less scary than the unknown.
I understand Malik won? I didn't think you were a socialist friend there, Mary, had a snowballs chance in hell. The other guy, as far as I'm concerned, he's an unknown and never really had a chance either. So the lesser of three evils one.
Last thing: I want to challenge the line about how “today’s black elected officials” lack operation. While I agree that Evans and Meeks lack much, I don’t think it’s fair to make such a generalization about all “black elected officials.” It’s not a race divide, it’s about class, status, and their campaign donor bases above all. After all, it is Black candidates who gave us progressive victories, too! This generalized statement about Black politicians feels unfair :(
Agree! In context, I was referring to a Black political *machine, which does not exist after Gantt’s passing. A political machine derives its power from utilizing the ability to appoint people to jobs, make grants, and organize voters. A city Councilmember doesn’t have that same power as a mayor or state lawmaker. BUT, large scale grassroots organization is obviously possible as a counterweight, which is a way to increase voter participation. (See NYC.)
There’s a Democratic machine, but it is led by Morelle/Bello and it is not organizing the Black electorate.
Hope that made sense and appreciate your challenge so I could be more clear.
Also seems we had a big incumbency advantage here! Re: some voters must have supported both Malik and Stanley
ED-level results should tell us more about the overlap. I’m also curious!
I totally agree with this all. In addition to not having the WFP support that the progressive candidates had in Albany/Buffalo/Syracuse/NYC, Malik Evans is also not such a clear evil the way that the establishment candidates were in the aforementioned cities. People who came out to vote for Mary were voting FOR her. People who voted for Zohran were both voting FOR him and AGAINST Cuomo. Over the next four years, we will have to much to build a base that not only likes progressive ideals, but also despises the moderate liberal vision of Rochester supported by the Evans establishment
Well said!
The poor turnout may be a result of one of several factors; that people are so dissatisfied they don't vote, that they are so satisfied they don't vote, they don't care, or believe their vote is meaningless. It would be interesting for an academic study of Rochester's registered voters to determine the ratios of each. I too am glad Mary ran, I don't agree with her on some things and agree with her on others, she has a good heart and cares about people, and you are correct, incumbents need to be challenged to keep them honest.
interesting that the population dropped almost 3300 people since 2021, and the voter turnout dropped 7000 since 2021. So, 9.7% population voted vs 6.5. I'm betting you and Mary will dig into the causes of the % drop here since as you noted, it isn't the heat. Was it as you noted, the message of being able to lead the city? Is it identifying with the candidate? I appreciate the insight about the incumbent as well in regard to the view that the streets are plowed and things seems to mostly work as is, at least on a minimum level of satisfaction. Human nature is to resist the unknown even if the known isn't great. It's just less scary than the unknown.
I understand Malik won? I didn't think you were a socialist friend there, Mary, had a snowballs chance in hell. The other guy, as far as I'm concerned, he's an unknown and never really had a chance either. So the lesser of three evils one.