LOWER HUDSON VALLEY, N.Y. — Today, Assemblymember David Buchwald, running for Congress in New York’s 17th Congressional District to succeed U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, was endorsed by the Hudson Valley Stonewall Democrats. The LGBTQ advocacy group’s support showcases Buchwald’s growing momentum and his ability to build a diverse and broad coalition to represent Rockland and Westchester Counties.

“David Buchwald has a tremendous track record of supporting the LGBTQ community and would represent us well in Washington,” said Anthony Nicodemo, President of Hudson Valley Stonewall Democrats. “He’s a proven progressive who will be ready on day one to stand up for dignity and equality for everyone.”

The Hudson Valley Stonewall Democrats join a growing coalition of more than 60 groups and individuals supporting Buchwald, including the Communications Workers of America, New York State Professional Firefighters, New York State Senator James Skoufis, multiple New York State Assemblymembers (Amy Paulin, Gary Pretlow, Daniel O’Donnell, and Nader Sayegh), Westchester County Clerk Tim Idoni, Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ben Boykin, Former NY-17 Democratic Congressional Candidate and Westchester County Legislator Catherine Borgia, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, among dozens of local elected officials, and all seven local Democratic Committees that have made endorsements in the race.

“I am humbled to have the support of the Hudson Valley Stonewall Democrats,” said Buchwald. “With our LGBTQ friends, family members, and neighbors under siege from the Trump Administration’s discriminatory policies and rhetoric, we must fight back. I am proud to have worked with the LGBTQ community as a New York State Assemblymember and I would be honored to have the opportunity to continue to fight as the Member of Congress for New York’s 17th District.”

Buchwald has a long history of working with the LGBTQ community to pass critical legislation. He was a co-sponsor of GENDA (the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act) and New York State’s ban on conversion therapy, both of which are now law in New York. Furthermore, Buchwald is the lead sponsor of legislation to allow New York courts to recognize changes of gender in order to enable the updating of birth certificates in other states. Well before this, he successfully pressured New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles to allow easier changes of middle names upon marriage, something crucial to many women and same-sex couples.

Buchwald was also the lead Assembly sponsor, with New York State Senator Brad Hoylman, of the Restoration of Honor Act, which provides state veterans benefits to LGBTQ veterans dishonorably discharged because of the gravely misguided Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. The bill, initially viewed as unlikely to pass, became law last year as part of a broader veterans’ package.

Buchwald is in his fourth term as a member of the New York State Assembly and has sponsored over 70 pieces of legislation that have become law. Last year, he introduced and passed the New York TRUST Act, which enables the U.S. Congress to request the New York State tax returns of top government officials — a law which Donald Trump is now suing to block. Previously, he served on the White Plains Common Council, worked as an economics researcher on antitrust issues, and practiced tax law in New York.