Difference between revisions of "Ben Nichols"
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'''Ben Nichols''' | '''Ben Nichols''' | ||
| − | ==Ithaca mayoralty== | + | ==Ithaca mayoralty run== |
| − | In 1989 Ben Nichols, a | + | In 1989 Ben Nichols, a long-time DSA member and past chair of the Ithaca DSA local, won a close contest for mayor by 202 votes. He won 2,630 votes to the 2,428 of his Republican opponent, Jean Cookingham. Nichols blamed the narrowness of his win on red-baiting and strong media opposition. |
[[Irene Stein]], chair of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee, said Nichols' stand on crime and affordable housing pushed voters to support him at the polls. Others suggested that his pro-choice position, as contrasted with his opponent's anti-abortion views, was a determining factor in his victory | [[Irene Stein]], chair of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee, said Nichols' stand on crime and affordable housing pushed voters to support him at the polls. Others suggested that his pro-choice position, as contrasted with his opponent's anti-abortion views, was a determining factor in his victory | ||
| − | |||
Nichols, a retired Cornell University engineering professor, had lived in Ithaca since 1973. He was backed heavily by Ithaca trade unions, minority groups,Cornell faculty and students, environmentalists,and peace advocates. The Ithaca DSA local, which was heavily involved in his campaign, organized fundraisers, participated in phonebanks, and distributed literature for Nichols. | Nichols, a retired Cornell University engineering professor, had lived in Ithaca since 1973. He was backed heavily by Ithaca trade unions, minority groups,Cornell faculty and students, environmentalists,and peace advocates. The Ithaca DSA local, which was heavily involved in his campaign, organized fundraisers, participated in phonebanks, and distributed literature for Nichols. | ||
| − | "He's a walking history of progressive movements in this century," said [[ | + | "He's a walking history of progressive movements in this century," said [[Al Davidoff]], president of a local of the United Automobile Workers and Ben Nichols' campaign coordinator. |
Nichols helped his parents organize a union, supported Spanish loyalists, protested racial segregation in the South,marched against the Vietnam War, and backed [[Jesse Jackson]] for president.<ref>DEMOCRATIC LFFT 10 JANUARY- FEBRUARY 1990</ref> | Nichols helped his parents organize a union, supported Spanish loyalists, protested racial segregation in the South,marched against the Vietnam War, and backed [[Jesse Jackson]] for president.<ref>DEMOCRATIC LFFT 10 JANUARY- FEBRUARY 1990</ref> | ||
Revision as of 10:42, 11 April 2011
Ben Nichols
Ithaca mayoralty run
In 1989 Ben Nichols, a long-time DSA member and past chair of the Ithaca DSA local, won a close contest for mayor by 202 votes. He won 2,630 votes to the 2,428 of his Republican opponent, Jean Cookingham. Nichols blamed the narrowness of his win on red-baiting and strong media opposition.
Irene Stein, chair of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee, said Nichols' stand on crime and affordable housing pushed voters to support him at the polls. Others suggested that his pro-choice position, as contrasted with his opponent's anti-abortion views, was a determining factor in his victory
Nichols, a retired Cornell University engineering professor, had lived in Ithaca since 1973. He was backed heavily by Ithaca trade unions, minority groups,Cornell faculty and students, environmentalists,and peace advocates. The Ithaca DSA local, which was heavily involved in his campaign, organized fundraisers, participated in phonebanks, and distributed literature for Nichols.
"He's a walking history of progressive movements in this century," said Al Davidoff, president of a local of the United Automobile Workers and Ben Nichols' campaign coordinator.
Nichols helped his parents organize a union, supported Spanish loyalists, protested racial segregation in the South,marched against the Vietnam War, and backed Jesse Jackson for president.[1]
Mayor of Ithaca
In 1991 Ben Nichols was a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and was mayor of Ithaca, New York.[2]
In 1995 DSAer Ben Nichols was running for re-election as Ithaca mayor.[3]
DSA member
Ben Nichols is a former Mayor of Ithaca, New York. In 2003 he was amember[4] of Democratic Socialists of America and a chair of the Working Families Party in the 125th Assembly District.
WFP
By 2003, many New York DSA members had registered in the Working Families Party, including former Ithaca Mayor Ben Nichols, who chaired the WFP in the 125th Assembly District.[5]
Bernie Sanders fundraiser
During the summer and fall of 2006 Democratic Socialists of America Political Action Committee helped DSA activists around the country, “from San Diego up to Maine” to host house parties to raise funds that helped Bernie Sanders become the sole Socialist in the U.S. Senate.
In Ithaca Over 30activists came together July 30 at the lakeside home of former mayor Ben Nichols and Judith Van Allen. In "addition to enjoying good food and wine, good company, and a chance to watch a video of Sanders, some of us took a dip in Cayuga Lake. The gathering brought together DSA members, Progressive Democrats of America members, left Democrats and media activists. [6]
References
- ↑ DEMOCRATIC LFFT 10 JANUARY- FEBRUARY 1990
- ↑ Democratic Left, July/August 1991, page 9
- ↑ Dem. Left, Sept./Oct 1995, page 40
- ↑ http://www.dsausa.org/dl/DLSummer2003.pdf
- ↑ Dem. Left, Summer 2003
- ↑ TYR, August 2006