Press Releases

BUFFALO, NY May 9, 2023  – Eve Shippens, Buffalo teacher and candidate for Buffalo North District Common Council, has been endorsed by Pushing Latinos Forward.

"We need to introduce energy and economic light to the North District. Pushing Latinos Forward is convinced that Eve Shippens is the right person at the right time. Her education, her community experience, and her passion are very real. We need to move this city forward,” says Jose Pizarro, Co-Chair, Pushing Latinos Forward.  

Shippens is a 22-year Buffalo Public Schools science teacher, an active union member, and a community leader in the fight for economic, social and racial justice. Her platform focuses on housing, public safety, the environment, information access & education, and leadership to achieve three interconnected goals: healthy neighborhoods, thriving business districts, and resources for families.

“I’m honored to have the support of Pushing Latinos Forward as I work to become the first Councilwoman for North District,” says Shippens. “In my years of teaching, I’ve learned how important it is to respect and uplift people’s identities and cultures, so that they can be seen and heard. Latinos/Latinas are a vibrant thread in the fabric of our community, and a growing part of the North District. I embrace the opportunity to continue working with leaders in this community  so that all voices can be heard.”

In addition to Pushing Latinos Forward, Shippens has been endorsed by the New York Working Families Party, the Buffalo Teachers Federation, 314 Action, Climate Cabinet Action, Her Bold Move, Eleanor’s Legacy, and Social Democrats, USA. She is the main challenger in the race for North District Common Council, running against a 24-year incumbent for a seat on the currently all-male council.

Find Shippens’ platform at eveshippens4north.com/issues and learn more and connect to her campaign social accounts at linktr.ee/eveshippens4north. 

Buffalo, New York Sunday, May 7, 2023  -- On Saturday, May 6th, at 8pm at K Art Gallery, located at 808 Main Street, Our City Action Buffalo announced their endorsed candidates for Buffalo Common Council.

We are proud to endorse progressive leaders who are dedicated to working alongside their constituents to fight injustice and create a more equitable Buffalo, said OCAB’s Endorsement Committee Chair Dr. Monica Stephens. “Franco, Walton and Shippens have devoted their careers to listening and caring for people in our community. Their fresh ideas will pave the way for innovative legislation in the common council and create a better future for all residents of our city.”

OCAB is committed to supporting candidates who share our values and are dedicated to working towards creating a better future for our city. We believe that Kathryn Franco, India Walton, and Eve Shippens are the candidates to do that. They share our vision of co-governance and have demonstrated a commitment to creating policies that will ensure racial, social, and economic justice for all Buffalo.

Our Endorsement Committee and Executive Board felt strongly that these three candidates will push for progressive policies and practices in the Buffalo Common Council. They will also represent the needs and desires of their constituents, especially poor and working class constituents who have long been ignored or disenfranchised. Their longstanding dedication to movement politics, and the strength of their commitment to challenging the political and economic establishment also factored into their individual and collective endorsements. We have a shared history of and vision for organizing day-in and day-out to build long-term community power. For all that and more, that’s why we’re proud to endorse these three community leaders, public servants, and women for Buffalo Common Council.

“As a grassroots candidate, I am thrilled to be endorsed by Our City Action Buffalo. For too long we have seen elected leaders ignore the voices of everyday Buffalonians and the issues we face. It's time for courageous leadership that stands up and prioritizes the many and not just the few, said Buffalo Common Council University District candidate Kathryn Franco. “I'm excited that University District residents will have a choice this year to not only strengthen the district, but our city- with greater representation, sound policy that centers people, and a return to true public service. Buffalo deserves it.”

“Our City Action Buffalo is an organization that since its inception has prioritized the issues of and fought for everyday, working class Buffalonians, " said Buffalo Common Council Masten District candidate India Walton. “I am ecstatic to be a member of the People’s Slate and ushering in a new era of governance that is not only for and by, but WITH the people of Masten district and the city of Buffalo.”

“People have been disengaged from politics because they don't see everyday issues being addressed. Our City Action Buffalo has fought to break through the status quo to amplify the diverse voices of people in our community, said Buffalo Common Council North District candidate Eve Shippens. “I’m proud to be endorsed by OCAB for North District Common Council, and be part of the Peoples’ Slate. Together, we can create a more equitable Buffalo where elected officials work for the benefit of every person they represent.”

BUFFALO, NY  May 1, 2023  – Eve Shippens, Buffalo teacher and candidate for Buffalo North District Common Council, has been endorsed by the Buffalo Teacher Federation (BTF).

Shippens is a 22-year Buffalo Public Schools science teacher, and a longtime active member of BTF, serving on the union’s Executive Committee for the past 6 years, as well as the Community Engagement and Political Action committees.

“It means a lot to have the backing of my union family as I take on this election to become the next North District Councilmember,” says Shippens. “My work in the community has always been rooted in the union values of economic, social and racial justice, and I’ll continue to work to advance these for North District and the city as a whole.”

Shippens’ platform focuses on housing, public safety, the environment, information access & education, and leadership to achieve three interconnected goals: healthy neighborhoods, thriving business districts, and resources for families.

“I support Eve for North District because I want my community to be safe for my grandkids with well-maintained streets, playgrounds and youth activities,” says Sophia Howard-Johnson, a fellow BPS teacher who has owned her home in North District for 24 years, and was the first African-American family to move onto her street. “I’m frustrated with the limited hours at our local ice rink, the closed swimming pools, and the lack of resources for people of color. We need a councilmember who’s in touch with the needs of the diverse families in our community.”

In addition to BTF, Shippens has been endorsed by the New York Working Families Party, 314 Action, Climate Cabinet Action, Her Bold Move, Eleanor’s Legacy, and Social Democrats, USA. She is the main challenger in the race for North District Common Council, running against a 24-year incumbent for a seat on the currently all-male council.

Find Shippens’ platform at eveshippens4north.com/issues and learn more and connect to her campaign social accounts at linktr.ee/eveshippens4north.

BUFFALO, NY  April 28, 2023 – Endorsements continue to come in for Buffalo teacher Eve Shippens in her bid for the North District seat on Buffalo Common Council.  Most recently, Shippens received the endorsements of:

Eleanor’s Legacy: Founded in 2001 by Judith Hope, the first woman to chair the New York State Democratic Committee, Eleanor’s Legacy is inspired by the dynamic legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt and her dedication to expanding the role of women in government. For over 20 years, Eleanor's Legacy has been supporting pro-choice Democratic women running for state and local office throughout New York State. Learn more at www.eleanorslegacy.com. 

Climate Cabinet Action: Down-ballot elections - including state legislative and municipal elections - are too often under-funded and ignored by the average voter. Climate Cabinet targets state and local elections that would have the greatest “return on investment” in the fight against climate change and helps those candidates win at the ballot box. From critical funding to field or communications services, Climate Cabinet provides pro-climate candidates the tools they need to succeed in elections. In turn, these leaders will pack a punch against climate change. Learn more at www.climatecabinetaction.org. 

“As a mother and environmental science teacher, I’m concerned about the world we’re leaving for the next generation. That means taking steps to reduce climate change and safeguarding our reproductive rights,” says Shippens. “I’m honored to be endorsed by Eleanor’s Legacy and Climate Cabinet Action, as they reflect my pro-choice and pro-climate values and the legislation that I’ll fight for as North District Councilwoman. Vote your values!” 

Caroline Spears, executive director for Climate Cabinet Action says, “Eve Shippens is the kind of candidate who is putting in the work and is ready to make an immediate impact the moment she’s elected to office. Most importantly, Shippens has a pro-climate plan that will transform Buffalo and create a better future for the families who call it home. Climate Cabinet 

- more -

Action is endorsing Eve because we know she can win and pack an outsized punch against the climate crisis once elected.”

Shippens has also been endorsed by the New York Working Families Party, 314 Action, Her Bold Move, and Social Democrats USA. She is the main challenger in the race for North District Common Council, running against a 24-year incumbent for a seat on the currently all-male council.

Learn more at eveshippens4north.com and linktr.ee/eveshippens4north.

BUFFALO, NY, March 27, 2023 – Eve Shippens, Buffalo teacher and candidate for Buffalo North District Common Council, has been endorsed by The New York Working Families Party (NYWFP).

“I’m honored to be endorsed by The New York Working Families Party, an organization that shares my working class and union values,” says Shippens, a longtime NYWFP member who holds positions in New York State United Teachers, the Buffalo Parent Teacher Organization, and the Buffalo Teacher Federation. “We share a belief in family-sustaining jobs, affordable housing, and getting families the resources they need for safe and healthy communities.”

Shippens’ priorities include investing in green infrastructure and youth activities for safe, healthy neighborhoods, and helping families and business owners in the North District get the resources they need to build safe, healthy homes and communities. 

Shippens has also been endorsed by 314 Action, an organization that supports STEM candidates, and Her Bold Move, a political action committee focused on shattering the glass ceiling in politics. She is the main challenger in the race for North District Common Council, running against a 24-year incumbent.

BUFFALO, NY  March 10, 2023 – Eve Shippens, BPS science teacher and candidate for Buffalo North District Common Council has been endorsed by 314 Action, an organization that endorses, funds, and supports candidates with STEM backgrounds and degrees.

“The reality of climate change is evident in the increasing frequency of severe weather and storms. We must have leadership in the City of Buffalo that proactively embraces the switch to greener energy and infrastructure with job training for the family-sustaining jobs of today and the future,” says Shippens, who currently teaches environmental science. “I’m honored to receive 314 Action’s endorsement.”

Shippens’ climate plan includes these infrastructure improvements, and utilizing state and federal funding to assist city residents and small business owners with the switch to green energy. The endorsement is Shippens’ first in her campaign for North District Common Council. 

Learn more about Shippens’ campaign at https://linktr.ee/eveshippens4north and more about 314 Action at https://314action.org/. 

BUFFALO, NY  April 17, 2023 – Eve Shippens, Buffalo teacher and candidate for Buffalo North District Common Council, has been endorsed by Her Bold Move, a political action committee focused on shattering the glass ceiling in politics.

"Her Bold Move is proud to support Eve Shippens. As an educator and prolific community leader, her contributions to the community are endless," says Jordan Zaslow, founder and executive director of Her Bold Move. "We know she will continue to serve Buffalo with a real knowledge and understanding of needs that aren't currently being met, because the Common Council is missing key voices in the rooms where decisions are being made." 

Only 16 women have served on Buffalo’s Common Council since its inception in 1832, with the last councilwoman representing the University District in 2014. North District has never had female representation on the Common Council.

“Representation matters - that’s why I’m running to be the first woman to represent the North District on Buffalo’s Common Council! As a single working mother, I understand the pressures many women face at home and in the workplace, and these have only increased with the repeal of Roe v Wade and the child care needs stemming from the pandemic,” says Shippens. “That’s why I’m so excited to have the support of Her Bold Move, so I can be a voice of change for women in my community.”

Shippens has also been endorsed by the New York Working Families Party, and 314 Action, an organization that supports STEM candidates. She is the main challenger in the race for North District Common Council, running against a 24-year incumbent for a seat on the currently all-male council.

Learn more at eveshippens4north.com and linktr.ee/eveshippens4north. 

BUFFALO, NY, February 8, 2023 – Buffalo teacher, community leader and mother of three Eve Shippens has announced her run for the North District seat on Buffalo Common Council. 

“I live in the second poorest zip code in the City of Buffalo – 14207. Having grown up in poverty, I’m familiar with many of the struggles my neighbors in the North District face,” says Shippens, who is a longtime union member and organizer and a homeowner in the Grant-Amherst neighborhood. “I’m running to help families and business owners get access to the resources they need to build safe, healthy homes and communities.”

Shippens’ platform priorities include building healthy neighborhoods, creating thriving business districts, and providing resources for families and individuals in the North District. 

“I want to raise the quality of life for everyone living in the North District!” says Shippens.

Shippens is challenging the six-term incumbent in North District who has had only one other contested race since his initial run for Common Council in 1999. She is one of several women running for a seat on the currently all-male Council this election cycle. Only 16 women have held positions on Buffalo’s Common Council since its inception in 1862, with the last female Councilmember serving on the body in 2014.

Visit https://linktr.ee/eveshippens4north to learn more about Shippens’ candidacy and connect to her campaign website and social media accounts.