Since the 1970's, the Downtown Independent Democrats has been the voice for residents of Lower Manhattan in the politics of the Democratic Party. Born from the reform movement that shook many decades of party boss rule in lower Manhattan, D.I.D. continues to support progressive government and issues, help elect intelligent and honest candidates, and to support deserving and qualified judicial candidates. We serve as a direct conduit to local elected officials for residents and provide a forum for members to meet prospective candidates and organize support behind endorsed candidates.

The club's district covers one of the largest land areas of any club in Manhattan. Neighborhoods represented by the club include Battery Park City, the Financial District, TriBeCa, Hudson Square, SoHo, NoHo, the South Village, the Washington Square area, Washington Square Village, Silver Towers, Village View, and parts of the Lower East Side and the East Village, as well as Governor's Island.

Our endorsements of candidates are always made at open public meetings, often after lively debate and discussion of the issues with the candidates themselves. We also provide printed voter information, sponsor get-out-the-vote drives and helped create the first Tribeca/SoHo/Hudson Square Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). We fought for (and won) loft legislation, increased moderate-income housing, small business protection, better schools, better parks, and neighborhoods made more safe and with a better quality of life for our families.

City Councilmember Alan Gerson, DID District Leader Jean Grillo, DID President Sean Sweeney, New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and DID District Leader Adam Silvera