Empire State Voices is a New York City-based advocacy group formed in 2023 that promotes left-of-center policy towards education, health care, housing, and the environment while supporting the campaigns of Democratic Party candidates it claims have a “working families-first agenda.” During the 2024 election cycle, the group released digital ads targeting Republican candidates running for office while supporting their Democratic opponents. ^{1 2 3}

Background

Empire State Voices promotes “bold, progressive solutions” on policy issues such as health care, housing, education, and the environment. The group has provided support to the campaigns of Democratic candidates running for office in congressional districts through digital advertising campaigns and canvassing events. ¹

Activities

Republican members of Congress targeted by the group’s digital ad campaigns during the 2024 election cycle included Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and then-Reps. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and Brandon Williams (R-NY). ^{1 4}

In 2025, the group announced it would lead advocacy events targeting Republican members of Congress including organizing a rally outside the office of Rep. Nick LaLota’s (R-NY) district office in Hauppauge, where activists demanded that the congressman “hold an in-person town hall meeting and face the constituents he swore to represent” ⁵ due to criticism over the second Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). ⁵ The group hosted a similar event targeting Rep. Lawler that it dubbed an “empty chair town hall.” ⁴

Finances

According to its 2023 tax returns, Empire State Voices reported $3.4 million in revenue and $2.4 million in expenses. While the group’s funding sources are unknown, vendor payments reported by the group included over $1 million to Screen Strategies Media LLC, a Virginia-based production firm, as well as payments to SKDKnickerbocker and Ralston Lapp Guinn Media. ⁶

1. Lewis, Rebecca C. “New Policy Group Spends Big on D’Esposito Attack Ads.” City & State New York. September 20, 2023. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2023/09/new-policy-group-spends-big-desposito-attack-ads/390436/
2. “About.” Empire State Voices. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.empirestatevoices.org/about.
3. “Press.” Empire State Voices. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.empirestatevoices.org/press.
4. “WHERE’S LAWLER? Frustrated New Yorkers Gather in Peekskill for Empty-Chair Town Hall.” Empire State Voices. March 25, 2025. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.empirestatevoices.org/press/032525.
5. “Over 1,500 Long Islanders Sign Petition DEMANDING Rep. LaLota Hold an In-Person Town Hall Meeting.” Empire State Voices. March 18, 2025. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.empirestatevoices.org/press/031825.
6. Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Empire State Voices. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/922925787/202403209349309865/full