"Daniel Squadron has the independence, the ideas and the know-how to bring about change and get things done in Albany," said Dorothy Siegel of Cobble Hill, a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of the Working Families Party. "Whether it's protecting affordable housing, fighting for our schools or ensuring that Brooklyn Bridge Park becomes a true recreational space, Daniel will champion the issues that matter to working families in this district."

"This district is in need of a State Senator who will champion responsible development and shake things up in Albany. Daniel Squadron has a proven record of fighting for change," said Rocky Chin a member of the Chinatown/Lower East Side Club of the Working Families Party. "As an aide to Chuck Schumer, he tackled some of the toughest problems facing New York and the nation. He worked to pass the Transportation Bond Act - providing billions of dollars for mass transit improvements. And he was part of a team of education reformers who succeeded in moving education funding and control from the bureaucracy to the classroom in New York City," said Chin.

"Daniel will be an extraordinary State Senator for the people of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. He will finally bring about change in Albany and deliver results on the issues that matter: protecting and expanding affordable housing, stronger requirements for new development, and fully funding our schools," said George Albro, a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of the Working Families Party and Co-Chair of its New York City Coordinating Council.

"The Working Families Party is an unrivaled force for progressive change in the district and the state -- exactly what this grassroots campaign to change Albany is all about," said Squadron. "I am honored to have WFP's support and excited to begin work with the best ground operation there is."

A 2005 Pace University poll found that the Working Families Party endorsement was the single most important for Democratic Primary voters in New York City in that year's Mayoral race, ahead of union, newspaper, and celebrity endorsements. The endorsement is particularly important in the 25th State Senate District, where the Working Families Party enjoys strong support.

All of the candidates for the 25th Senate District were interviewed by a local committee of the Working Families Party. The committee voted to recommend the endorsement of Daniel Squadron based on his support for protecting and expanding affordable housing, public financing of elections, and ensuring that development projects meet community needs. Squadron's endorsement was then approved by the WFP's New York City Coordinating Council and finally by the statewide Executive Committee last Friday.

The Working Families Party is New York's progressive third party, fighting for a government and economy that works for all New Yorkers. The WFP received 155,184 votes on Row E for Eliot Spitzer in 2006; almost 7,000 came from the 25th Senate District.