2025 ENDORSEMENTS
BKForge is excited to announce our endorsements for the 2025 New York City Primary Election! BKForge sent a brief questionnaire to all candidates considered for endorsement. Eligible endorsing members of BKForge then voted anonymously via ranked choice ballot.
BKForge proudly endorses:
Brad Lander for Mayor
Crystal Hudson for District 35 City Council Member
Alexa Avilés for District 38 City Council Member
Shahana Hanif for District 39 City Council Member
In the mayoral race, BKForge endorses Brad Lander for the #1 spot on your ballot. Closer to the election, we will share a full slate of recommended candidates. BKForge encourages everyone to rank 5 candidates and NOT include Andrew Cuomo, Eric Adams, or Scott Stringer on your ballots. We feel strongly that these candidates should not be ranked as an option on any space on your ballot, nor did we reach out to them for consideration of our endorsement. BKForge stands for gender equity and reproductive health, and we trust women who come forward to report sexual misconduct despite immense legal, financial, and societal barriers. We could not, in good conscience, support three men with multiple accusations of sexual harassment and/or assault against them. Additionally, their legislative records do not support the work that we do.
Mayor: Brad Lander
BKForge is proud to endorse Brad Lander for Mayor! Lander is currently the New York City Comptroller, serving as the City’s chief financial officer and chief accountability officer and managing a team of roughly 700 professionals. He has consistently held the Adams Administration accountable, uncovered waste and abuse, and saved hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars. Lander has a decades-long record of progressive accomplishments and community engagement: As Council Member for District 39 in Brooklyn, he helped expand workers’ rights, strengthen tenant protections, invest in public schools, and strengthen our democracy. Lander co-founded Get Organized Brooklyn (where BKForge was initially formed in 2016), co-founded the Council’s Progressive Caucus, and co-founded Local Progress, a movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. We’re excited to talk to voters about Lander’s unique leadership experience and demonstrated progressive values. Show your support now at landerfornyc.com.
District 35: Crystal Hudson
BKForge is proud to endorse Crystal Hudson for City Council! Hudson has been a trailblazer in City government and a leader for her district. Her notable legislative accomplishments last session include establishing unrestricted cash assistance programs, laying the groundwork for universal childcare, increasing access to doula and midwife care, requiring reporting on all police consent searches, and addressing the growing discrimination against LGBTQIA+ communities across the country. A third-generation Brooklynite and daughter of Jamaican and Honduran immigrants, Hudson made history as the first out gay Black woman ever elected in New York City. Hudson chairs the Council’s Committee on Aging, co-chairs the Council’s Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, and previously co-chaired the LGBTQIA+ Caucus. We’re excited to talk to voters about Hudson’s achievements for the community and her vision for a more just and people-powered NYC and Brooklyn. Show your support now at crystalforbk.com.
District 38: Alexa Avilés
BKForge is proud to endorse Alexa Avilés for City Council! Avilés grew up in East New York, Brooklyn, and has lived in Sunset Park with her family for decades. As a proud Boricua, education organizer, mother, and democratic socialist, she has fought for housing for all, fully funded public schools, and a people-centered budget at City Hall. Avilés has championed many pieces of legislation centering equity for working-class communities in Southern Brooklyn, from combatting cruise ship pollution and truck congestion in Red Hook to requiring greater transparency surrounding NYCHA management practices and NYPD stops of civilians. Avilés previously chaired the Council’s Committee on Public Housing and currently chairs the Committee on Immigration. We’re excited to talk to voters about Avilés’ commitment to her community and her vision for a city government that truly supports working New Yorkers. Show your support now at alexaforcouncil.com.
District 39: Shahana Hanif
BKForge is proud to endorse Shahana Hanif for City Council! Born and raised in Brooklyn to Bangladeshi immigrant parents, Hanif has dedicated her life to building a progressive New York City rooted in care, justice, and equity for all—inspired by her personal battle with Lupus, a chronic illness with no cure. Hanif has been a leader in reproductive justice, including leading a budget campaign to expand the city’s abortion funds to $1 million, in partnership with the New York Abortion Access Fund and the Brigid Alliance. Hanif has fought alongside NYCHA public housing residents; advocated for survivors of domestic violence; passed a law creating a citywide curbside organics program for residential buildings; secured $20 million in new funding for schools, parks, and infrastructure; and successfully resolved 3,000 constituent cases. Hanif co-chairs the Council’s Taskforce to Combat Hate and previously chaired the Committee on Immigration. As Council Member for BKForge’s home base, Hanif has also been a consistent supporter of our campaigns and events. We’re excited to talk to voters about Hanif’s proven record for her constituents, her deep engagement in the district, and her progressive vision for a city where all New Yorkers have the support they need. Show your support now at shahanafrombk.com.
Candidate Questionnaires
As part of our endorsement process, BKForge sent a brief questionnaire to all candidates considered for endorsement as of mid-February. Below are the responses received by BKForge.
Candidates listed alphabetically. An * denotes they are the incumbent.
Mayoral Candidates
Brad Lander (BKForge endorsed candidate!)
Council District 35
Crystal Hudson * (BKForge endorsed candidate!)
Council District 38
Alexa Avilés * (BKForge endorsed candidate!)
Council District 39
Shahana Hanif * (BKForge endorsed candidate!)