AMERICAN FREEDMEN INDEPENDENT CLUB OF NEW YORK (AFIC-NY)

“No Permanent Friends. No Permanent Enemies. Only Permanent Interests.”

The Candidate Interview and Endorsement Committee is the statewide committee of the American Freedmen Independent Club of New York charged with interviewing candidates for public office and recommending endorsements to the State Executive Board, under Article XI of the Club's Constitution and Bylaws.

What the Committee Is

The Committee consists of six voting members in good standing, appointed by the State Executive Board. The Board designates one of the six as Chair, and members serve two-year terms. Committee service does not create a seat on the State Executive Board.

The Committee is advisory only. It interviews candidates and makes recommendations — the State Executive Board alone holds the sole and final authority to approve, deny, withhold, or withdraw every official AFIC-NY endorsement. No Committee vote, interview, recommendation, or statement is an official endorsement.

What the Committee Does

The Committee receives candidate submissions and county chapter recommendations, reviews candidates' qualifications and public records, and conducts candidate interviews. Candidates are evaluated against the Club's American Freedmen mission, its four founding pillars — Faith, Economic Independence, Political Independence, and Strong Families — and its policy priorities.

After interviewing, the Committee sends a written recommendation to the State Executive Board. A recommendation requires a quorum of four members and at least three affirmative votes. The Committee may also recommend no endorsement.

Who May Apply

Any candidate running for political office in New York State — statewide, county, or local — may request a candidate interview, regardless of political party affiliation. AFICNY is an independent political club, not a political party, and its interview process is open to candidates of every party and to independent candidates alike.

How to Apply

Step 1 — Complete the official application. Download the AFIC-NY Candidate Endorsement Application, complete every section — including the policy attachment (A–G) — sign the candidate acknowledgment, and email the completed application with all attachments to endorsement@aficny.com with the subject line "Candidate Interview Request."

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION (PDF)

Step 2 — Committee review. The Committee reviews your submission, your qualifications, and your public record.

Step 3 — The interview. If an interview is scheduled, you will receive reasonable notice. Every candidate seeking the same office answers the same common core questions, and follow-up questions may address your record and your responses. Interviews may be held in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format.

Step 4 — The recommendation. The Committee votes and delivers its written report and recommendation to the State Executive Board.

Step 5 — The Board's decision. The State Executive Board makes the final endorsement decision. Only representatives designated by the Board may announce an official AFIC-NY endorsement.

Our Integrity Rules

An interview or questionnaire creates no entitlement to an endorsement. No donation, dues payment, gift, favor, or benefit of any kind can purchase an interview, a recommendation, or an endorsement — and no candidate or donor may attempt to buy one. Committee members who hold a material conflict in a race must disclose it and recuse themselves from that race's interviews, deliberations, and votes.

Questions about the process: endorsement@aficny.com  |  (914) 732-7033