Mark Levine wants Democrats to run up the score in Manhattan

Amid the hand wringing about the city’s restaurants moving up their closing times, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine wants to make sure his borough is still in the city that never sleeps when it comes to voting. He’s launching the Wake Up Dems campaign, organizing his campaign team and allies to get out the vote in November, so Democrats on the ballot can run up the score. “We need huge turnout in New York City, and specifically Manhattan, to not just win, but win big and to send a message,” Levine told City & State. He’s hosting Gov. Kathy Hochul, state Attorney General Letitia James and more for an Upper West Side rally on Sunday, Oct. 23. But Levine and allies like Rep. Adriano Espaillat and 10th Congressional District candidate Dan Goldman are kicking it off Friday with three Get Out the Vote actions during the morning rush hour at subway stops in Washington Heights, the Upper West Side and Chinatown. The message: make a plan to vote. And after that, find a way to support swing districts around the state and country. Because Manhattan sure isn’t one.

“This is one of the bluest states in America, and the Republicans have nominated an entire slate of extremists for statewide offices,” Levine said. “So we should be absolutely dominating, but in fact Democrats are polling in the low 50s. And we want to motivate people who care about the culture of this state to come out and vote.”

Levine also plans to organize bus trips for Manhattan Democrats to Pennsylvania, and other areas with swing districts. 

Asked if the BP was taking a page from Espaillat, a political animal and close ally, Levine smiled. “I never stop learning from Adriano. He’s been a great friend and partner, and a partner in this effort as well.”