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Progressive organizers and candidates are runnin’ down a D.R.E.A.M. in the New York City mayoral race. Separate organizations – including United Auto Workers Region 9A and a grassroots political action committee – are encouraging voters to adopt a collective mission in the ranked-choice Democratic primary this June: “Don’t Rank Eric or Andrew for Mayor.”
The PAC, New Yorkers for A Better New York Today, was formed in February to raise money for a social media, merchandise and (they hope) influencer-backed messaging blitz to cut into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s strong position in the race, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams’ less stable position in the race. Among the group’s organizers is former Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s communications director, Lawrence Wang.
It’s unclear who actually came up with the D.R.E.A.M. motto first, though Brandon Mancilla, director of UAW Region 9A, noted there’s plenty of crossover in the ecosystem of progressive organizations, and word gets around. “I think the important part here is that this has spread,” Mancilla said. “The conversation is there. The slogan is catchy.” (The union has released an unranked endorsement of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, state Sen. Jessica Ramos and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.)
Spokespeople for both UAW and the PAC say they’d originally envisioned using the D.R.E.A.M. acronym to mean “Don’t Rank Eric Adams for Mayor,” but Cuomo’s entrance to the race – and his subsequent dominance in recent polls – prompted the pivot. Luckily, the letters worked out.
So far, the PAC’s cash haul is extremely modest compared to the coffers in Cuomo’s campaign or the resources of a PAC supporting him. The top donor to the D.R.E.A.M. PAC so far is The Jewish Vote, the political arm of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, which says it contributed $5,000 to the effort. Only two other contributions totaling $4,500 have been reported through weekly disclosures to the state Board of Elections so far, including one from a relative of Wang’s. Wang said the PAC is taking in additional donations under $1,000 that aren’t required to be in those disclosures.