Brooklyn Bids to Host the 2016 Democratic National Convention

Conventions « Site Selection « New York (Brooklyn) - Democratic

Press Release from City of New York
December 12, 2014
New York City Raises $15 Million for 2016 DNC Bid, Has $5 Million Cash on Hand

Goldman Sachs, 1199SEIU, Condé Nast, Blackstone, Tishman Speyer and Citi among early donors

NEW YORK—The de Blasio Administration today announced that it has secured an additional $5 million from host committee members in support of New York City’s bid to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention, bringing the City’s fundraising total to $15 million. Today’s announcement showcases New York City’s unparalleled ability to commit substantial resources to hosting the 2016 convention in the five boroughs.

Of the $15 million, $5 million has been received, and the City has an additional $10 million in commitments from host committee members. Goldman Sachs, 1199SEIU, Condé Nast, Blackstone, Tishman Speyer and Citi are among the organizations that have contributed to the City’s convention bid. Once selected as the city to host the convention, the Host Committee will immediately convert all commitments into money in the bank to begin to organize the event.

“We are proud to have the backing of a diverse group of community, business, labor and faith leaders that have helped us to get the necessary framework in place to host a fully-funded convention that will help to propel the Democratic nominee into the White House. This outpouring of support is the latest sign that New York City is ready to host the 2016 Convention in the five boroughs,” said Mayor de Blasio.

“As a company based in New York City for 145 years, we believe it is important to support the City’s efforts to host the DNC Convention. More personally, having grown up in Brooklyn, I’m excited to showcase all the progress that will make it such a terrific venue,” said Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Goldman Sachs.

“New York is the ideal host for the Democratic Convention, because we are showing national leadership by addressing income inequality through progressive policies such as universal pre-K and paid sick days. The middle-class is struggling in America, and we must send a powerful message that we need to prioritize good jobs and a real voice for working people in national politics. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase our city and boost our economy—now is the time for us all to make a united effort to bring the Democratic Convention to New York,” said George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

“New York City is home to world class attractions, venues, neighborhoods, and the city has a spirit and energy like no other in the nation. Holding the convention here in America’s foremost city is totally appropriate, and it would be great for all New Yorkers. I’m gratified to see the business community standing ready to support efforts to bring the convention to NYC,” said Tony James, President and Chief Operating Officer, Blackstone.

“As a long-time member of New York’s business community, I am proud to support the city’s bid to host the 2016 convention. As a lifelong New Yorker, I am even more excited by the prospect of showcasing all that our five boroughs have to offer,” said Rob Speyer, President and Co-CEO, Tishman Speyer.

The Administration also today increased the host committee membership to 112 business, civic and labor leaders, all of whom have pledged their support.

New York City Host Committee 2016 Members:

Vincent Alvarez, NYC Central Labor Council
Stuart Appelbaum, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
Gina Argento, Broadway Stages
Ajay Banga, MasterCard
David J. Barger, JetBlue Airways
Paul Beirne, Bernstein Global Walth Management
Frank A. Bennack Jr., Hearst Corporation
Barry H. Berke, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Peter Beshar, Marsh and McLennan
Lloyd C. Blankfein, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc
Jeff T. Blau, The Related Companies
Richard Born, BD Hotels
Jacques Brand, Deutsche Bank North America
Jill Bright, Condé Nast
Tonio Burgos, Tonio Burgos and Associates
Ursula M. Burns, Xerox Corporation Ltd.
Kenneth I. Chenault, American Express Company
Ric Clark, Brookfield Office Properties
Philippe P. Dauman, Viacom, Inc.
Dr. Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, NYC Landmarks 50 Alliance
Barry Diller, IAC
Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Doug Dunham, Quinn Gillepsie
Douglas Durst, The Durst Organization
Helena Durst, The Durst Organization
Richard Edelman, Edelman PR
Blair W. Effron, Centerview Partners
Cheryl Cohen Effron
Jay W. Eisenhofer, Grant & Eisenhofer P.A.
Leecia Eve, Verizon
Hector J. Figueroa, 32BJ SEIU
Alan H. Fishman, Ladder Capital Corporation
Jay S. Fishman, The Travelers Companies, Inc
Gregory Floyd, Teamsters Local 237
Marian Fontana, 9-11 Families Association
Mark T. Gallogly, Centerbridge Partners
Faith Gay, Quinn Emanuel
MaryAnne Gilmartin, Forest City Ratner Companies
Steve Goldman, Kramer Levin
Barry M. Gosin, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Jonathan Gray, Blackstone
George Gresham, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
Robert Greifeld, Nasdaq OMX
Jeffrey R. Gural, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Gerald L. Hassell, The Bank of New York Mellon
Marc Holliday, SL Green Realty Group
Jay S. Jacobs, Nassau County Democratic Committee
Hamilton E. James, The Blackstone Group
Steven A. Kandarian, MetLife
Pat Kane, RN, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)
Brad Karp, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Rob Kaplan, Harvard Business School
Michael W. Kempner, The MWW Group
Julie Kushner, United Automobile Workers
Pam Kwatra, Kripari Marketing
Gary LaBarbera, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
Jonathan Lavine, Sankaty Advisors
Kenneth Lerer, Lerer Ventures
Leonard Litwin, Glenwood Management
Jeffrey H. Lynford, Educational Housing Services
John McAvoy, Consolidated Edison, Inc
Raymond J. McGuire, Citigroup, Inc.
George L. Miranda, Teamsters Joint Council 16
Leslie R. Moonves, CBS Corporation
Evan L. Morris, Roche Pharmaceuticals
Michael Mulgrew, UFT
Mike Muse, Muse Recordings
Charles A. Myers, Evercore Partners Inc.
Drew Nieporent, Myriad Restaurant Group
Cynthia Nixon
Michael E. Novogratz, Fortress Investment Group
Sean Parker, Sean N. Parker Foundation
Alan Patricof, Greycroft LLC
Susan Patricof
Ronald O. Perelman, MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc.
Douglas L. Peterson, McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.
Charles E. Phillips, Infor
Richard R. Plepler, Home Box Office, Inc.
Kirk A. Radke, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Bruce C. Ratner, Forest City Ratner Companies
Scott H. Rechler, RXR Realty
Dennis Rivera
Lillian Roberts, DC 37
James A. Rosenthal, Morgan Stanley
Rosina Rubin, Attitude New YOrk
William C. Rudin, Rudin Management Company, Inc.
Kevin P. Ryan, Gilt Groupe
Elizabeth Sackler, Brooklyn Museum
Bill Samuels, Effective NY
Marie Samuels
John Samuelsen, Transport Workers Union Local 100
Michael E. Schlein, Accion International
Richard D. Segal, Seavest Investment Group
Marissa Shorenstein, AT&T, Inc.
Adam Silver, National Basketball Association
Russell W. Simmons, RUSH Communications
Harendra Singh, Singh Hospitality Group
Jay Snyder, HBJ Investments
Rob Speyer, Tishman Speyer Properties
Ambassador Carl Spielvogel, Carl Spielvogel Enterprises
Joseph Spinnato, Hotel Association of New York City
Steven Spinola, Real Estate Board of New York
Jonathan M. Tisch, Loews
Daniel R. Tishman, Tishman Construction Corporation
Diane von Furstenberg, DVF
Peter Ward, The New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council
David Weinreb, The Howard Hughes Corporation
Maureen White
Steve Witkoff, The Witkoff Group
Robert Wolf, 32 Advisors
Kathy Wylde, Partnership for New York City
Donald Zucker, Donald Zucker Co.

pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov

Press Release from City of New York
October 31, 2014
Mayor's Office Chief of Staff Laura Santucci to Oversee New York City's Bid for the 2016 DNC Convention

NEW YORK—The Mayor’s Office announced today that Chief-of-Staff Laura Santucci will take a leave of absence from her official duties at City Hall to lead New York City’s bid to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Santucci will oversee the operational, financial and strategic planning of the City’s efforts to secure this milestone event, where the Democratic Party’s candidate for president in 2016 will be nominated.

“There’s no one who better exemplifies the values that have driven this administration—and will be on display at the 2016 Democratic National Convention—than Laura Santucci. She is a strong leader and effective manager, and I’m thankful that Laura has agreed to lend her experience and expertise to this important effort to bring the 2016 Democratic National Convention to New York City,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Today’s announcement is testament to how serious we are about securing this bid.”

“From tackling income inequality to implementing universal pre-K and expanding affordable housing, this administration is leading the nation in implementing bold progressive change. We’ve shown how local government can and should work, and we are eager to put our accomplishments on display as the host city of the 2016 Democratic National Convention,” said Laura Santucci. “We’ve seen a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from everyday New Yorkers, labor leaders, the business community, and elected officials—and I couldn’t be prouder to lead our combined efforts to host this historic event right here in New York City.”

Santucci will assume her new duties on November 10. Deputy Chief of Staff Amanda Howe will serve as Acting Chief of Staff during Santucci’s leave.

pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov

Press Release from City of New York
August 26, 2014

Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Holds Press Gaggle on New York City's DNC Bid
Mayor: Welcome, everyone. We are going to bring you over to another room in just a couple of minutes to talk about some very good news today regarding a labor settlement. But I know a number of you had questions you wanted to ask about the SBA ad so I want to address that upfront. Let me just offer a few thoughts and I will be happy to take your questions.

We are the safest big city in America. It’s a well-established fact. We are the safest big city in America because we have the finest police force in America – I’ve said it many times. We have the finest police leader in America in Bill Bratton – I’ve said that many times. Crime is now down 3.5% compared to this point last year – overall crime down 3.5%. As of today, murders—27 fewer murders than the same point last year. We do have some problems with crime to address, for sure, we always have challenges. But the good news is, and the clear evidence is, the NYPD is getting the job done and the city is safe in many ways safer than ever and we’re continuing to make progress.

On the question of the Democratic National Convention, it’s indisputable that this convention will be a great boost for our city. The last time we had a convention in New York City, about a decade ago, it brought in over a quarter billion dollars into the New York City economy. This convention will bring in even more. It will be a great boost for Brooklyn and for the outer boroughs all together. It will be a great boost for the pride in this city and, once again, show people all over the world why they should come here and visit and start businesses and contribute and invest in New York City. That’s why cities all over the country are vying for these conventions because they really make a positive result on the local economy.

So, my simple point in all that is the people who care about New York City that want to see New York City move forward – want to see New York City prosper – should be supporting our convention bid. The vast majority of our business leaders are energetically supporting the convention bid. The vast majority of labor leaders are energetically supporting the bid. The vast majority of elected officials and community leaders—there’s a great excitement and we stand by the notion, clearly, that this will be a big step forward for our city. So people who care about the city’s future should join with us in our effort to win the Democratic National Convention. With that I welcome your questions.

Question: Are you saying that the [inaudible] of the SBA [inaudible] don’t care about the city? And do you think that this ad is essentially [inaudible] their asking for more salary [inaudible] contract in two years. What’s the [inaudible]?

Mayor: Well, it’s clearly an effort to advance their position in contract negotiations and I think that it’s an irresponsible act on their part. It’s fear mongering to try to benefit their own position in labor talks and that’s just not responsible. Again, the facts are the facts. I have such pride in the NYPD and I’ve said it many times and I have such pride in the work of Commissioner Bratton, and the numbers speak for themselves. So if any union wants to try to better their economic position, that is certainly their right, but do it based on the facts. Don’t try to stoke fear in the city we love. I think that most New Yorkers believe that we are moving in the right direction and they want to help us move in the right direction and be constructive and that’s what I would urge all leaders in the city to do.

Question: [Inaudible]

Mayor: No, I have not. I look forward to speaking him but we talk all the time on a host of issues. As you know, Commissioner Bratton and I are moving a series of effort to make the city safer, to improve the relationships between police and community. We have more work to do but, again, these numbers – I hope we use this occasion to reflect upon the progress – 27 fewer murders from this point last year. That’s extraordinary – the NYPD should be very, very proud of that fact. The people of the city should be proud. That’s what we should be focused on.

Question: I know that, this morning some people in your administration were ticked off about the ads but your demeanor here seems pretty calm about it. Were you angry?

Mayor: Look, I’m never surprised when a labor leader or a labor union does something to advance their place in a contract negotiation. It’s interesting to watch how different unions comport themselves. Many do so in a very responsible fashion and we’ve been able to get some good resolutions. In fact, as of today, with the settlement you’re about to hear, we’ll be at 62% of municipal workforce under contract. Some union leaders choose to take opportunistic actions and irresponsible actions. I don’t think that benefits anyone.

Question: [Inaudible]

Mayor: I was not surprised. I think it was – I think it was unhelpful to what is an important dialog about how we move the city forward. A couple more – anyone? Yes.

Questions: Sort of related, but not entirely. You mentioned you think that this convention would bring in more than a quarter million –

Mayor: A billion.

Question: A billion – I’m sorry, that’s correct. Do you have any estimates on how much the city is going to raise, or has to raise, in order to convince the DNC to bring it here.

Mayor: In terms of the outside funds, private funds, we’ve said – we predict the number is based on the past. The past was about 80 million for the RNC – the past was about 80 million for the RNC. We think this one’s going to go over 100, the way things are going. And we believe, based on the extraordinary response from the private sector, the unions, that they’ll be a lot of support for this initiative. I have to tell you, I know this is an intense competition to win the convention. But one thing we’ve heard from a lot of people in Washington, and all around the country, it was unmistakable how clearly the private sector and the labor sector of the city are supporting this bid and how clear it is how the money – the resources necessary for a successful convention will be produced in New York City. I don’t think anyone doubts that at this point.

Question: [Inaudible]

Mayor: It’s not the right way to do things. I would say of any mayor – by the way, I bet all of my colleagues, who have previously held this role would agree – it’s not a good way to go about labor negotiations, it’s irresponsible. Don’t stoke fear – let’s talk about what we can together. We’ve been able to really come to landmark agreements with a number of unions – unions that have been waiting for year for an agreement and couldn’t get it with the previous administration. We got the very quickly. Again, our goal had been to try and get half of the workforce under contract by the end of the year. As of today, and still in only August, we’re at 62%. The vast majority of our unions and union leaders are trying to work with us constructively. That’s the path the get things done. Okay, Jen and then Rich.

Question: Do you think that this is going to hurt the city? You have a union going out saying –

Mayor: No, I think it’s so obviously opportunistic that no one will give it too much regard.

Question: [Inaudible]

Mayor: No, again, I don’t sense that anyone is going to give it too much weight. Thanks very much everyone.

pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov

August 26, 2014 ...run as a full page ad in the New York Post

Letter from Sergeants Benevolent Association
Police Department, City of New York
35 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013
212.226.2180 FAX 212.431.4280 www.sbanyc.org

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

Edward D. Mullins
President

Robert Ganley
Vice President

Paul A. Capotosto
Treasurer

Vincent Vallelong
Recording Secretary

Gary Derosa
Financial Secretary

Anthony Borelli
Health & Welfare Secretary

Vincent Guida City-Wide Secretary

John Dorst
Sergeant at Arms

Joseph Quinn Marshal

Michael Peruggia EMD/HQ/Police Academy

Cliff Thieleke PBMN/Manhattan North

Arthur Smarsch PBMS/Manhattan South

Reginald McGraw
TD 30/Transit Bureau

Bill Craven
PSA 1/Housing Bureau

Edward Conroy ECT/Queens North

Joseph Ricotta
Auto Crime/OCCB

Edward Geary
44 Precinct/Bronx

Peter McCormack Bronx DA Squad/Det. Bureau

Timothy Kornbluth
79 Precinct/Bklyn North

Edmund Small
70 Precinct/Bklyn South

James Gatto HWY 5/Staten Island

Donald Lipp
103 Precinct/Queens South
Dear Chairperson:

Mayor Bill de Blasio wants the Democratic National Committee to designate the beautiful Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn as the site of the 2016 Democratic National Convention. But while the Barclays Center is still new and glistening, the great city in which it stands is lurching backwards to the bad old days of high crime, danger-infested public spaces, and families that walk our streets worried for their safety.

As President of the New York City Sergeants Benevolent Association, the largest senior police officers’ union in the country, and a cop who started walking a beat on the Lower East Side over 30 years ago, I cannot join the Mayor’s call for the DNC to come to Brooklyn. As always, the city’s brave police officers will go above and beyond the call of duty to fight crime and maintain the city’s quality of life no matter the circumstances, but it is time for honesty about the dangerous choices that Mayor de Blasio’s administration is making.

The degradation of our streets is on the rise. As reported widely in the media, shootings have increased by 13% citywide since last year. At the same time, the squeegee people are reappearing on the streets, and aggressive panhandlers and con men are populating the subways and Times Square.

Why? Because diminished support for police officers translates directly into crime spikes and drops in quality of life. And right now the number of cops on the streets is insufficient to address the city’s growing problems. The NYPD is understaffed, overworked and under- paid. Morale among police officers is low, and there are few signs that it will get better any time soon. Our Mayor cannot be a leader in the fight against crime without supporting his police force.

But it is not just that we have fewer officers patrolling the streets. The Mayor has provided a public platform to the loudest of the city’s anti-safety agitators, instead of giving voice to the millions of New Yorkers who want to live and work in safety. Why would he kowtow to demagogues who push a political agenda? Does he really believe people in the city care more about politics than quality of life?

When he ran for office last year, the Mayor spoke of a “Tale of Two Cities.” Indeed, the city is heading toward a very real division: one part of the city consisting of citizens who respect the rule of law, and the other led by anti-safety political opportunists and blowhards pursuing a personal and political agenda.

I remember what it was like to walk a beat in the 1980s. I am deeply concerned that any Mayor could watch passively as the city reverts to those days -- when looking over one’s shoulder was a way of life.

The Sergeants Benevolent Association cannot now in good conscience join the Mayor’s call for the 2016 Democratic Convention to come to Brooklyn. The DNC should choose another venue. It is no time for ambitious local politicians and political “wannabees” who ignore public safety to bask in the spotlight of a national event made possible by the sweat and hard work of law enforcement, only to throw the city’s police officers under the bus. Mayor de Blasio has not earned the right to play host to such an important event.

The great officers of the NYPD are not pawns to be moved around a political chessboard by the Mayor. We are committed to what should be the Mayor’s first priority – making our city safe and improving the quality of life of all of the city’s residents.

When our elected officials are ready to commit to keeping our streets safe, we’ll be there shoulder to shoulder. But we cannot support politicians who sit idly by and enable the forces of crime and disunity to emerge again. The sergeants always will answer the call, but it is time for candor about what is happening on the streets of the city, and what has to be done to keep New York the safest big city in the countr y.

Sincerely,

Ed Mullins

DNC Technical Advisory Committee Site Visit Aug. 11-12, 2014

PRESS RELEASE from Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams

BP ADAMS PITCHES BROOKLYN AS SITE FOR 2016 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION TO DELEGATES

BOROUGH PRESIDENT CITES KEY FACTORS FOR BID TO DEMOCRATIC EASTERN STATES CONFERENCE ATTENDEES
BROOKLYN, NY, July 12, 2014: Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams pitched Brooklyn as the site for the 2016 Democratic National Convention to delegates attending the Democratic Eastern States Conference. At a gathering in Midtown Manhattan, he highlighted key factors that make the city’s bid stand out, focusing particularly on Brooklyn’s symbolic significance as the largest Democratic county in the nation, its cultural and economic renaissance as well as its embrace of diversity, noted by many to be an important element of the party’s future.
"Delegates, I spent 22 years of my life wearing a bulletproof vest as a member of the New York City Police Department, standing on the street corner protecting children, families and visitors of this city,” said Borough President Adams. “I saw the evolution of a city that came into its own, that's representative of not only what America looked like but what America needs to look like. The Democratic Party understood it long ago. Helen Keller said the only thing that's worse than not having sight is having sight but no vision. This party saw the vision; it knew that we must be diversified. Brooklyn represents that; 47 percent of Brooklynites speak a language other than English at home. Hosting the convention here is saying we are a welcome mat, that we are not living with the Republican philosophy of being exclusionary, but inclusionary. We are the big tent."

Borough President Adams also cited the accommodations that New York City has to offer, including over 100,000 hotel rooms which will be available by the end of 2014, the transportation network that can easily move delegates and guests, including a superior shuttle service, as well as the local experience in hosting major events, such as the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, Super Bowl XLVIII and next year’s NBA All-Star Weekend, which will be split between Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center.
The conference was also attended by Public Advocate Letitia James and former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who currently serves as vice president for borough promotion and engagement for NYC and Company.
LETTER
June 18, 2014

DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Democratic National Committee
430 South Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003

Dear DNC Chair Wasserman Schultz,

We are pleased to offer our support for New York City’s bid to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. As the business, creative and cultural Capital of the World, New York offers the Democratic Party the archetypal backdrop to showcase our ideas, our party members and our nominee to the American people in a Democratic state. The Barclays Center is a convenient and exciting venue that has been well-equipped to host a multitude of sporting events and concerts since its opening in 2012, making it the ideal location for any large event.

The Barclays Center has the ability to seat 18,000 individuals, which will make it more than capable to handle the large crowds that the Democratic National Convention will draw. It can be reached by eleven different subways, including the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q and R trains. These trains connect individuals from all over New York City to the Barclays Center, making it an extremely accessible location. There are also eleven different buses that stop by the Center, a Long Island Railroad stop across the street and multiple bike paths that provide alternative methods of transportation. The Barclays Center is also surrounded by a host of amenities and attractions including restaurants, theatres, libraries, museums and parks that highlight New York City’s importance as a cultural hub. The up-and-coming areas of Brooklyn around the Barclays Center are home to a young, diverse group of individuals. The inclusion of diverse ideas and culture represent what’s best about our Party, while staying true to its ideals.

Brooklyn hotels will be able to host around 3,500 of the individuals in attendance, but areas all around New York City will be able to accommodate individuals as well. This will reduce the concentration of traffic directly around the Barclays Center and will allow individuals to see all that New York has to offer. Hotels in Queens that are located near LaGuardia airport will be able to offer hotel rooms, which will be most convenient for individuals who travel long distances by airplane to New York for the Convention. The city’s strong public transportation network makes no part of New York inconvenient and will allow individuals to reach the Barclays Center quickly and inexpensively.

The Barclays Center has received multiple awards that make it an even more attractive venue, given that it is such a new facility. It also received a LEED Silver Certification for New Construction from the U.S. Green Building Congress, which gives it a unique status amongst similar venues in New York City. Its commitment to sustainable practices highlights some of the Party’s goals.

Home to the first Democratic National Convention in 1868, it is befitting to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention in New York City almost 150 years later. With a long tradition of successful Democratic National Conventions in the past—1868, 1924, 1976, 1980 and 1992—New York City is the platform from which successful presidencies are made. As we look forward to the 2016 presidential elections, New York City will be the ideal springboard to take the Democratic Party into the next era as President Obama’s presidency culminates and we look towards another four years in the White House with the next Democratic Party leader.

Sincerely,

Senator Charles Schumer                      Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Congressman Jerrold Nadler                 Congresswoman Caroly Maloney

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez        Congresswoman Yvette Clarke

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

- June 5, 2014 letter [PDF] from Mayor Bill de Blasio to DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz

- March 1, 2014 letter [PDF] from Alicia K. Glen, Deputy Mayor of Housing and Development, Office of the Mayor City of New York to DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz