The first filing for the 2020 New York State Elections has just been confirmed – courtesy of Democratic State Assembly candidate Grace Lee.
Lee has filed $153,645.30 in her challenge for the 65th Assembly District, which covers Chinatown, the Financial District and the Lower East Side. She will be challenging the incumbent Yuh Line-Niou (D-Chinatown, Financial District).
With her nearly $154k filing, Lee broke the state record for the most funds raised by a first-time state assembly candidate in a first filing. She has also pledged to decline donations from real estate executives, corporate PACs and fossil fuel companies. Furthermore, she holds the distinction of being the only candidate in this particular race who has never taken any such donations.
“We are at a moment in history when we as a community must demand that our electeds have a true commitment and dedication to the people they serve,” said Lee. “This campaign is driven by the need for our community to do and be better.”
Grace Lee is a first-generation Asian-American who has lived in Lower Manhattan for almost 15 years. She is the co-founder of Children First, a parent-led grassroots movement to oppose the development at 250 Water St. She is also the former events director for Swing Left, a progressive group that fought for Democrats to take back the House in the 2018 midterm elections.
