Mayor Becky Russo McKay announces her first 3 #DemocracyWarrior endorsements for the 2025 elections - Statement

PINE OAKS, Calif. — Mayor Becky Russo McKay of Pine Oaks has officially rolled out her first three endorsements for the 2025 election cycle as part of her #DemocracyWarrior campaign. Ms. Russo McKay, a lifelong Republican, endorsed a variety of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in the previous election cycle, provided they upheld the #DemocracyWarrior standards - upholding democracy at home and abroad, respecting the rule of law, and supporting the free market and minimal regulation. Today, she announced important endorsements as the #DemocracyWarrior campaign for the 2025 election cycle.

• Abigail Spanberger (Democrat) for Governor of Virginia. 

Becky Russo McKay endorsed former Representative Abigail Spanberger for Governor following Spanberger's commitment to protecting Right-to-Work policy enshrined in the Virginia constitution. Russo McKay also emphasized Spanberger's passionate opposition to Donald Trump and his anti-democracy policies, a position that swung Russo McKay's endorsement in the previous gubernatorial election - because of 2021 Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe's past closeness to Donald Trump, Becky disavowed McAuliffe and endorsed Bill Kristol as a write-in candidate.

• Mikie Sherrill (Democrat) for Governor of New Jersey.

Becky Russo McKay endorsed Representative Mikie Sherrill for Governor following her Democratic primary win and subsequent endorsement by First Lady Tammy Murphy's husband, Governor Phil Murphy. Ahead of the primary, Russo McKay gave a "three-way-tie" endorsement for Sherrill, Josh Gottheimer, and Steve Sweeney, promising to endorse the winner among the three if they were to win the primary, and to endorse the Republican candidate, Jack Ciatarelli, if any of the three did not win. In the previous election, Becky endorsed Phil Murphy for re-election.

• New York City Mayor
• Andrew Cuomo (Democrat), First Ranking in the Democratic primary
• Whitney Tilson (Democrat), Second Ranking in the Democratic primary
• Eric Adams (Independent), Conditional Endorsement in the General election if one of the two aforementioned candidates does not win the Democratic primary.

Becky Russo McKay gave a strong endorsement to Italianx icon and former governor Andrew Cuomo ahead of the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. She also endorsed businessman Whitney Tilson as her second-ranked candidate. Russo McKay also gave a conditional endorsement to incumbent mayor Eric Adams (whom she endorsed in 2021), signaling her support for him if Cuomo or Tilson were to lose the Democratic primary.

In addition to her candidate endorsements, Mayor Russo McKay has also sent a policy proposal to all the mayoral candidates that included a detailed plan to remove and ban congestion pricing, officially sunset the NYC subway system, remove all subway trains and rails, and install underground parking lots to make New York City more accessible to car travelers. 

Town of Pine Oaks Recognizes Official Spelling of the President - Statement

 PINE OAKS, CALIFORNIA - Mayor Becky Russo McKay released an official statement, seen below.

As of Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 12:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, all official references to the President of the United States in all town meeting minutes and future statements will recognize the Mayor's alternative capitalization of the President's last name. Furthermore, the President of the United States shall be referred to as "President Donald tRUMP," "Donald tRUMP," or "tRUMP" in all official Pine Oaks official statements and documents. No other spellings will be recognized and any previous misspellings will be corrected by the Pine Oaks Department of Records by no later than February 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.

- Office of Mayor Becky Russo McKay

January 25, 2025, 7:57 PM Pacific Standard Time

Mayor Becky Russo McKay endorses Adam Frisch for House (CO-3) - Statement

PINE OAKS, Calif. — Mayor Becky Russo McKay of Pine Oaks has endorsed Adam Frisch for the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Frisch is running in Colorado's Third Congressional District, currently held by Lauren Boebert. Mayor Russo McKay delivered a speech at the Pine Oaks City Council chambers Friday morning endorsing Frisch. Below is an excerpt from the speech:

"GQP Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is not fit to serve in the House. She has put our democracy at risk many times in the three years she has served in Congress, especially on January 6, 2021, where she assisted in radical domestic terrorists storming the Capitol, allowing for one of the largest threats to our American institutions in this nation's history. Additionally, she was among 20 House members who held our Congress and democracy hostage in the Speaker Standoff of 2023. Adam is a democracy warrior, a unifying moderate, and defied the political odds in 2022 when he nearly unseated the incumbent. He will win big in 2024 and send Lauren, a threat to democracy, packing for good."

Mr. Frisch is the first Democratic candidate for House, and the third Democratic candidate overall, that Ms. Russo McKay, a lifelong Republican, has crossed the aisle to support this cycle. Previously, Ms. Russo McKay endorsed Adam Schiff for Senate in her home state of California and Elissa Slotkin for Senate in Michigan.

Mayor Becky Russo McKay endorses Elissa Slotkin for Senate (MI) - Statement

PINE OAKS, Calif. — Mayor Becky Russo McKay of Pine Oaks has endorsed Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, currently held by Debbie Stabenow. Mayor Russo McKay delivered a speech at the Pine Oaks City Council chambers Tuesday morning endorsing Slotkin. Below is an excerpt from the speech:

"As a staunch supporter of defending American democracy and protecting our national security, the choice is clear for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat. Elissa Slotkin has served as a democracy warrior in the U.S. House, and she is the right fit for this seat. Elissa's history in the Central Intelligence Agency prepares her to protect democracy at home and abroad. She will proudly support bipartisanship, prosperity, and the preservation of democracy. I am proud to support Elissa Slotkin for Senate."

Ms. Slotkin is the second Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate that Ms. Russo McKay, a lifelong Republican, has crossed the aisle to support this cycle, the first being Adam Schiff in her home state of California. Liz Cheney, a political ally of Ms. Russo McKay, also endorsed Ms. Slotkin for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022.

Mayor Becky Russo McKay Signs Resolution Acknowledging Black History Month

PINE OAKS, Calif. — Mayor Becky Russo McKay signed a resolution acknowledging and celebrating February as Black History Month early Wednesday morning. This was unanimously agreed to by the City Council via a voice vote. Below is an excerpt from the statement:

"The town of Pine Oaks, Mayor Becky Russo McKay, and the Pine Oaks City Council recognize February as Black History Month. Black Americans play an important role in American history, and this month it is especially important that we honor their achievements and continue to work towards a truly equal country."

Mayor Becky Russo McKay is expected to unveil a statue highlighting the prominent women of color that have impacted modern American politics, titled "Democracy's Foundational Women," later this week. The statue is to include many women of color who have worked to protect democracy and advocate for equality in recent political history. 

Mayor Becky Russo McKay Announces Appointment to Vacant City Council Seat

PINE OAKS, Calif. — Mayor Becky Russo McKay has announced the appointment of Elizabeth "Bessie" Resist to the vacant City Council position in Pine Oaks. A longtime part-time resident of California, Bessie has served as an active voice in local, state, and national politics and is a fearless advocate for democracy. Mayor Russo McKay praised Bessie's activism and her involvement in government when announcing her appointment in the council chambers this morning. Here is an excerpt:

"Bessie is a good friend of mine and a devoted advocate for pro-democracy policies and candidates. She will be a good fit to represent the citizens of Pine Oaks on the City Council. I have faith that Bessie will help our city and work to save democracy in our city, nation, and world."

Born Elizabeth Johnson, Bessie legally changed her last name to Resist in 2016 to make a political statement of her resistance to then-candidate Donald Trump. One year later, Bessie organized the first Pine Oaks Women's March in support of women and in opposition to the policy and rhetoric of former White House occupant Donald Trump. In the past seven years, Bessie has lived in multiple states to support and assist pro-democracy candidates all over the nation. She now splits her time between Portland, Oregon, and Pine Oaks. 

More information about Bessie will be included on the Pine Oaks website following her swearing-in.

Note: Bessie Resist uses she/her and they/them pronouns interchangeably. This statement uses she/her pronouns for consistency.

Mayor Becky Russo McKay endorses Adam Schiff for Senate - Statement

PINE OAKS, Calif. — Mayor Becky Russo McKay of Pine Oaks has endorsed Congressman Adam Schiff for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Dianne Feinstein. Mayor Russo McKay delivered a speech at the Pine Oaks City Council chambers Tuesday morning endorsing Schiff. Below is an excerpt from the speech:

"As a longtime Californian and a staunch supporter of defending American democracy, the choice is clear for California's U.S. Senate seat. Adam Schiff has served as a democracy warrior in the U.S. House, and he is the right fit for this seat. During his time on the January 6 Select Committee and a lead investigator into the impeachment of former White House occupant Donald Trump, he has proven he has the necessary skills to represent our state and defend democracy. I am proud to support Adam Schiff for Senate."

Mayor Russo McKay's endorsement of Schiff is crucial considering her residency in the Congressional district of Schiff's primary opponent, Katie Porter. Mayor Russo McKay endorsed the Republican candidate, Scott Baugh, over Ms. Porter in last year's Congressional election. Mayor Russo McKay has declined to comment on Katie Porter's candidacy for Senate; however, the Mayor has stated she has no intention to run for Katie Porter's seat in the U.S. House.