District 13 (Queens) – John Sabini (D) endorsed

John Sabini is a former New York City Council member who represented Jackson Heights and brings a long record of public service and support for lesbian and gay issues in his quest for this newly created State Senate seat. Among his many efforts to support LGBT issues as a Councilman, he created a special program in conjunction with the Anti-Violence Project and the Hetrick-Martin Institute to train teachers at a local high school to recognize and intervene in potentially violent actions. He has been endorsed by the Out People of Color Political Action Club and State Senator Tom Duane.

Toby Stavisky is a former high school teacher who replaced her husband Leonard Stavisky in the State Senate after his death in 1999, becoming the first woman in Queens elected to the State Senate. Ms. Stavisky has been a strong supporter of local LGBT organizations. She has also been endorsed by the Queens Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club.

Nellie Santiago is a co-sponsor of both the Dignity For All Students Act and SONDA. Ms. Santiago has served for ten years in the State Senate and has been an outspoken supporter of lesbian and gay rights in her community. She is facing a contentious battle for the seat from former New York City Councilman Martin Malave Dilan, who did not return a Pride Agenda questionnaire. She has also been endorsed by the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn.

Carl Andrews was first elected to the State Senate in a special election in February 2002 to replace Marty Markowitz. Mr. Andrews is co-sponsor of SONDA and the Dignity For All Students Act. He has also been endorsed by the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn.

Lori Knipel is an attorney and is running in a crowded field for an open seat for a newly created State Senate district. She has also been endorsed by the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn and State Senator Tom Duane.

Eric Schneiderman is an attorney who was first elected to the State Senate in 1998. He served as chairman of the Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee and earned the wrath of Republicans by organizing serious challenges to their Senate majority colleagues. This year, Mr. Schneiderman faces a competitive race in a newly drawn district gerrymandered to weaken his Upper West Side base and pit him against popular former City Councilman Guillermo Linares. As in past races, Mr. Linares failed to return a questionnaire to the Pride Agenda. Mr. Schneiderman gave strong answers to his questionnaire and has been a consistent supporter of the gay and lesbian community. He has been endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats and the Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats.