2025 Press Coverage
Former Alderperson Jorge DeFendini launches campaign for First Ward seat
By Judy Lucas
January 24, 2025
“‘I want to use my experience on the council, but also as someone who’s gone through it, to really deliver on some material change for affordability and stability in the city,’ DeFendini said.
2023 Press Coverage
The Left’s Battle for Ithaca’s Common Council
By Jimmy Jordan
Photo Credit: Aaron Fernando
May 31, 2023
“[For] close observers of Ithaca’s political landscape, it’s clear that amidst a year in which all 10 of the city’s Common Council seats are up for a election — a once in a decade event in city politics — progressive organizers and activists are trying to tilt the balance further to the left in the City of Gorges.”
Ithaca Solidarity Slate Supports Five Common Council Candidates
By Matt Dougherty
April 19, 2023
Photo Credit: Aaron Fernando
“During a rally held on the Ithaca Commons on April 8 Common Council candidates Kayla Matos, West Fox, and Nathan Sitaraman joined incumbents Phoebe Brown and Jorge DeFendini to announce their participation in the Ithaca Solidarity Slate.”
2021 Press Coverage
Ithaca is Tenants!
How does Ithaca move forward when the eviction moratorium ends?
By Ryan Bieber
May 6, 2021
“Right now, the ITU and the Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America are hoping the Solidarity Slate will be able to get Ithaca to opt in to the ETPA. The Solidarity Slate has three candidates running for Ithaca Common Council in 2021. Defendini is one of these members — Shaniya Foster and Phoebe Brown are the other two. The idea is to get elected and then further the push for ETPA from within Common Council.”
‘Solidarity Slate’ Common Council Candidates Represent Ithaca’s Progressive Movement
By Meghana Srivastava
March 30, 2021
“With around 15 volunteers supporting the campaign, the candidates are running on a platform of racial justice, housing reform and workers’ rights, among several other goals. Each candidate comes from a different background and hopes to bring a unique perspective to their slate, with a shared goal of making Ithaca’s Common Council more diverse.”
Trio of “Solidarity Slate” candidates announce Common Council bids
Matt Butler
March 3, 2021
“The newly formed Solidarity Slate has created a website to present its goals and vision, putting forth an ambitious 10-plank set of campaign initiatives, which they said will continue to evolve and expand through development and collaboration with the community.”