Make the Road Action chooses González-Rojas over Ramos

In the latest sign that progressive advocacy groups are likely to back Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas’ primary challenge against state Sen. Jessica Ramos, Make the Road Action formally endorsed González-Rojas’ state Senate campaign on Tuesday. 

Make the Road Action – a 501(c)(4) organization affiliated with immigrant rights’ group Make the Road NY – plan to host an endorsement press conference Tuesday night alongside Sunrise NYC, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Make the Road Action has previously backed both Ramos and González-Rojas in their respective races, so next year’s Democratic primary for state Senate District 13 between incumbent Ramos and challenger González-Rojas presented it with a difficult choice. But Ramos’ decision to endorse former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary alienated many progressives, pushing Make the Road’s members to support González-Rojas instead. Make the Road Action plans to make independent expenditures to support González-Rojas’ campaign and will begin canvassing for her later this year.

Ramos has represented the 13th Senate District – a northern Queens district that includes Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and Corona – since 2018. The district is home to a large Latino immigrant population and Make the Road’s headquarters. It partially overlaps with Assembly District 34, which González-Rojas has represented since 2020.

Make the Road’s decision to endorse González-Rojas could be an early indication that the powerful Working Families Party will ultimately back the Assembly member against Ramos as well. Make the Road NY is a key affiliate of WFP, and its co-founder Ana María Archila is now a co-executive director of WFP.