ITHACA, N.Y.—Despite entering the campaign a bit later than her counterparts, Ithaca mayor candidate Katie Sims received a significant boost Tuesday when she received the endorsement of the prominent New York State Working Families Party.
Sims is running as an independent, vying for the single-year term to finish off former Mayor Svante Myrick’s time in office. She’s opposed by incumbent and Democratic candidate Laura Lewis, Republican activist Zach Winn, plus at least one write-in candidate, William “Magic Man” Metro.
“I’m honored to be endorsed by the Working Families Party,” Sims said. “WFP and I share a vision for an Ithaca where we can all live dignified, prosperous lives. As an organizer and activist, I’ve seen our city government compromise on the needs of working families too many times, and I’m excited to campaign alongside WFP to bring Ithaca’s progressive promises to reality.”
The WFP is typically active in Ithaca, where it usually represents a path to the left of the normal local Democrats. As noted in the Sims announcement, WFP-endorsed candidates have had a run of success locally, most recently with Tiffany Kumar’s election to Common Council. This year, WFP has also endorsed New York State Senate candidate Lea Webb and State Assemblymember Anna Kelles for reelection.
Sims is certainly mounting a challenge to the left of Lewis, mainly focusing her campaign on housing justice (more specifically, good cause eviction laws) and combating climate change.
“Katie is a tenant organizer and climate activist with a track record of fighting for progressive action. We’re proud to endorse her campaign for Mayor of Ithaca,” said Sochie Nnaemeka, Director of the New York Working Families Party. “As a community with skyrocketing housing costs and long-standing inequities, working families need elected officials who will put their needs first.”