NYC's Secret Political Power Players: The Top 50 Clubs Shaping the City's Future

NYC's Hidden Political Powerhouses: The Top 50 Clubs Shaping the City's Future

Smoke-filled rooms might be a thing of the past, but New York City's political landscape is still heavily influenced by a network of powerful clubs. These organizations, ranging from traditional neighborhood groups to newer identity-driven organizations, wield significant influence in local, state, and even national politics.

The Power of Endorsements

These clubs play a crucial role in local elections, often wielding the power of endorsements and get-out-the-vote campaigns. Their endorsements can make or break a candidate, especially in crowded primaries. They also mobilize volunteers to gather signatures, organize rallies, and drive voter turnout.

A Legacy of Influence

Some clubs, like the West Side Democrats, boast a rich history and powerful connections, having launched the careers of prominent figures like Rep. Jerry Nadler. Others, like the Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club, are newer but have quickly become influential, with Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn rising to prominence through its ranks.

Evolving Political Landscape

The political landscape is evolving, with new clubs emerging to represent specific identities and advocate for policy changes. The Muslim Democratic Club of New York, for example, has become a powerful force on the left, pushing for progressive policies and backing candidates like Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.

The Top 50

This list showcases the 50 most consequential political clubs in New York City, ranked in order of influence based on factors like their membership, electoral track record, and ability to mobilize voters. The list provides a glimpse into the intricate network of organizations that shape the city's political future.

Take a look at some of the most influential clubs:

1. West Side Democrats Key Members: Rep. Jerry Nadler, Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, Assembly candidate Micah Lasher, New York City Council Member Gale Brewer

2. Northern Manhattan Democrats for Change Key Members: Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Member Manny De Los Santos, District Leaders Maria Morillo and Mariel De La Cruz

3. Frederick E. Samuel Community Democratic Club Key Members: Keith Wright, former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, District Leader Wilma Brown Phillips

4. Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club Key Members: State Sen. Roxanne Persaud, Assembly Member Jaime Williams, District Leader Frank Seddio

5. Progressive Association For Political Action Key Members: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Secretary of State Walter Mosley

6. Independent Neighborhood Democrats Key Members: Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, former Assembly Member Joan Millman, New York City Council Members Lincoln Restler and Shahana Hanif, District Leaders Lydia Green and Aaron Ouyang

7. Bay Ridge Democrats Key Members: New York City Council Member Justin Brannan, state Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Vice President Jay Brown

8. Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club Key Members: Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, President Emeritus Blondell Lighty, Co-Founders Dr. Patricia Marthone, Josue Pierre and Samuel Pierre

9. Vanguard Independent Democratic Association Key Members: Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman, former Assembly Members Annette Robinson and Roger Green

10. Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club Key Members: State Sen. Leroy Comrie, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, District Leaders Preston Baker and Pamela Buford, Executive Secretary Manny Kaufman

11. Grassroots of Buffalo Key Members: Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes

12. Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Key Member: First Vice President Louis Cholden-Brown and Political Director Chris Sosa

13. Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club Key Members: Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, New York City Council Member Eric Dinowitz

14. Progressive Democrats Political Association Key Members: Rep. Yvette Clarke, former New York City Council Member Una Clarke, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, Assembly Member Latrice Walker

15. Chippewa Democratic Club Key Members: Assembly Member Michael Benedetto, District Leaders John Doyle and Rebecca Nieves

16. Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC Key Members: Executive Vice President KC Hankins, Vice Presidents Rose Christ and Kenny Agosto, Treasurer Matthew Lesieur

17. Island Park, Point Lookout, Lido, Republican Club Key Members: Deputy Executive Leader Tim D’Esposito, former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, former Hempstead Supervisor Rich Guardino

18. Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Key Members: State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, former state Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, First Vice President Nicole Benjamin, Second Vice President L’Judie Matt-Simmons

19. Uptown Community Democrats Key Members: State Sen. Robert Jackson, Vice President Carolyn Murtaugh

20. Martin Luther King Jr. Club Key Members: Former Rep. Charlie Rangel, Assembly Member Inez Dickens

21. New Visions Democratic Club Key Members: Assembly Members Catalina Cruz and Jessica González-Rojas, New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan, former New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm

22. Coalition for a District Alternative Key Members: State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera, Co-Vice Presidents Ciara Lugo and Donna Ellaby, District Leaders Marquis Jenkins and Aura Olavarria

23. Downtown Independent Democrats Key Members: Assembly Member Grace Lee, New York City Council Member Christopher Marte, former state Supreme Court Justice Kathryn Freed, District Leader Paul Newell

24. Whitestone Republican Club Key Members: Co-Vice Presidents Stefano Forte and Lauren Whalen, Secretary Robert Hornak

25. New York Young Republican Club Other key member: Vice President Nathan Berger

26. United Progressive Democratic Club Key Members: Assembly Member Bill Colton, New York City Council Member Susan Zhuang

27. New Kings Democrats Key Members: Vice Presidents Paige Havener, Brandon Smith and Kellan Calder

28. Muslim Democratic Club of New York Key Members: Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif, former President Murad Awawdeh, Co-Founders Linda Sarsour, Ali Najmi, Faiza Ali and Aliya Latif

29. Glen Cove Republican Club Key member: Hempstead Town Attorney John Maccarone

30. Port Washington Democratic Club Key Members: Assembly Member Gina Sillitti, North Hempstead Council Member Mariann Dalimonte, former state Sen. Anna Kaplan, state Senate candidate Kim Keiserman, former congressional candidate Melanie D’Arrigo

31. Three Bridges Democratic Club Key Members: State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, Assembly Members Harvey Epstein and Grace Lee, District Leader Magda Napoleon, outgoing District Leader Daisy Paez, Vice Presidents Magda Napoleon, Vaylenteena Jones, Grauven Olivares and Charisse King

32. Hell’s Kitchen Democrats Key Members: District Leaders Paul Devlin and Adrienne Ford, Vice President Leslie Boghosian Murphy, former Assembly Member Richard Gottfried

33. Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn Key Members: Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson, Vice Presidents Derek Gaskill, Deshawn Childress, Claire Coulter and Patrick Hart

34. Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats Key Members: Assembly Members Robert Carroll and Jo Anne Simon, District Leaders Doug Schneider, Lori Knipel (outgoing) and Diana Gonzalez (incoming)

35. Michelle Obama Community Democratic Club Key member: State Sen. Cordell Cleare

36. Three Parks Independent Democrats Key Members: First Vice President Daniele Gerard, Second Vice President Lynn Max, District Leaders Daniel Marks Cohen and Cynthia Doty

37. Broadway Democrats Key Members: District Leaders Paula Diamond Roman and Curtis Arluck, Vice President Amy Porter

38. Asian Wave Alliance Key member: First Vice President Yi Fang Chen, Second Vice President Jean Hahn

39. New York City Black Women’s Political Club Key member: New York City Council Member Nantasha Williams

40. Second Chance Democratic Club Key member: Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs

41. Stars & Stripes Democratic Club Key Members: State Sen. Iwen Chu, former Assembly Member Peter Abbate Jr.

42. Eleanor Roosevelt Independent Democrats Key Members: New York City Council Member Keith Powers, District Leaders Mike Corbett, Tom Nooter, Myrna LePree and Reshma Patel

43. Tioga Carver Democratic Club Key Members: Assembly Member Al Taylor, District Leader Earnestine Bell-Temple

44. 504 Democratic Club Key Members: First Vice President Elisabeth Axel, Second Vice President Ivan Alevante

45. Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Club Key Members: District Leader Antonio Alfonso, Executive Vice President Steven Beard, Board Chairs Yanni Trittas and Laura Jean Hawkins

46. Lexington Democratic Club Key Members: Executive Vice President Lynn Berger, District Leaders Cory Evans, Meryl Brodsky, Jake Dilemani, Noreen Shevlin, Russell Squire and Sue Moss

47. United Democratic Organization Key Members: Founder and President Emerita Virginia Kee, First Vice Chair Denny Salas, Second Vice President Yee Fan Chu, Secretary Alan J. Gerson, District Leaders Virginia Lee and Justin Yu

48. Staten Island Young Republican Club Key Members: Vice President Joseph Maligno

49. Village Independent Democrats Key Members: Vice Presidents Sara Kimbell, Mindy Rosier and David Siffert, District Leaders Jen Hoppe and Arthur Schwartz

50. Ontario County Women’s Republican Club President: Trisha Turner

These political clubs are an integral, yet often overlooked, part of New York City's political landscape. They are a testament to the enduring power of local organizing and the importance of grassroots activism in shaping the city's future.