Tompkins County Democratic Committee

<h3>Fighting for Our Community</h3>These are some of the top issues our campaign is focused on. Learn more about our issues <a href="/issues" target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">here</a>.

The 2024 National Democratic Party Platform

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<h3>Preamble</h3>Our nation is at an inflection point. What kind of America will we be? A land of more freedom, or less freedom? More rights or fewer? An economy rigged for the rich and powerful, or where everyone has a fair shot at getting ahead? Will we lower the temperature in our politics and come together, or treat each other as enemies instead?"The stakes in this election are enormously high."President Biden and Vice President Harris took office during a time of global pandemic, record job loss, and record crime. These past four years, Democrats proved once again that democracy can deliver, and made tremendous progress turning the country around. President Biden and Vice President Harris turned a setback into a great American comeback for working families."We've created nearly 16 million jobs, a record number of small businesses are being started, and factories are coming home. We lowered families' health insurance premiums, and we stood up to Big Pharma to lower prescription drug prices. We're helping students catch up on learning loss, and we're forgiving millions of crushing student loans. We passed the first significant gun safety law in decades and made record investments in public safety, putting more police officers on the beat; today, violent crime is at its lowest in 50 years. We're fighting climate change, reducing pollution, and fueling a clean energy boom. We're rebuilding our nation's roads, bridges, highways, ports, airports, water systems, and more. We're seizing record amounts of fentanyl and securing our border in the face of Republican inaction. We're closing the racial wealth gap and the gender pay gap. We've expanded benefits and services for toxic-exposed veterans; and we're strengthening NATO and restoring American leadership in the world."There is so much more to do. Democrats will fix the tax system so everyone has a fair shot. We will restore the right to choose. We will continue to bring down costs for families. We will continue to reject political violence of all forms and give hate no safe harbor."<a href="https://democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024_Democratic_Party_Platform_8a2cf8.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">To read the rest of the 2024 platform, click here</a><a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/2024-democratic-party-platform" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">.</a>

Our nation is at an inflection point. What kind of America will we be? A land of more freedom, or less freedom? More rights or fewer? An economy rigged for the rich and powerful, or where everyone has a fair shot at getting ahead? Will we lower the temperature in our politics and come together, or treat each other as enemies instead?

Write a short blurb about an issue your campaign is highlighting. Try to keep the text a similar size between the various issue blurbs.

The 2024 DNC Platform

tompkins county judge

Maura Kennedy-Smith

Tompkins County has three County Court Judges who preside over felony criminal cases, Family Court, and Surrogate’s Court. They also handle four specialty courts: Family Treatment, Treatment, Sex Offender and Domestic Violence.

Tompkins County Judge

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Town Board

Judy Drake

New York state residents will be asked to vote this year on Proposition One, an <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xuGFE0aawtM2njj55lPUW7V7-w-P4AyP/edit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Equal Rights Amendment to the state constitution.</a>The amendment will close loopholes that could permit extremists to restrict people’s rights to reproductive freedom, including abortion. It will also protect civil rights for the LGBTQ community and elderly New Yorkers.

Proposition One

What Prop 1 Will—and won't—do for New York

<h2>TCDC is the county-level organization of town, city and ward committees</h2>The committee’s foundation is the base of registered Democratic voters. Interested voters can join Town and Ward committees, which then unite to form the County Committee. The County Committee then elects members to the New York State Democratic Committee, and the State Committee elects members to the Democratic National Committee.(From the Tompkins County Democratic Committee Member’s Handbook, Section I, "Party Overview")

"BOE" provides the most up-to-date information about national, state and local elections. It manages voter registration, oversees elections and provides information for people who want to run for office. If you plan to be active in local politics, keep the main URL—<a href="https://tompkinscountyny.gov/boe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">https://tompkinscountyny.gov/boe</a>—at the top of your browser's bookmarks!

The Tompkins County Board of Elections

Voter Registration

Find Your Polling Place

Early Voting Dates

Mail-In Voting

Be a Poll Worker

Run for Something!

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The Town of Caroline is governed by a Town Supervisor and a Town Board. Click on photos to see names and titles.

Caroline Town Board

The Town of Ulysses has a town supervisor and a town board. Click on photos to see names and titles.

Ulysses Town Board

Candidate for House of Representatives, NY-19

Josh Riley

New York's 19th congressional district stretches from Tompkins County to the Massachusetts border. It is currently represented by Republican Marc Molinaro.

Congress

<h2>Campaign Office</h2>Open weekdays 10 am to 6 pm Saturdays 10 am to 4 pmOpen now through November 5119 West Green Street, Ithaca 607.319.0327

<h2>Got Signs?</h2>New in town and need to register? Itching to get active in our campaigns? Want to get DASH, our monthly newsletter?Use the QR codes at left to get started.

<h2>Campaign Office</h2>Open weekdays 10 am to 6 pm Saturdays 10 am to 4 pmOpen now through November 5<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/XWmNstz7YbH5GAjX9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">119 West Green Street, Ithaca</a> 607.319.0327

<h2>Got Signs?</h2>New in town and <a href="https://tompkinscountyny.gov/boe/howtoregister" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">need to register</a>?Itching to <a href="https://tcdemocrats.org/volunteer" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">get active</a> in our campaigns? Fill out our <a href="https://tcdemocrats.org/volunteer" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Volunteer Questionnaire</a>!Want to get our <a href="https://tcdemocrats.org/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">monthly newsletter,</a> or <a href="https://tcdemocrats.org/lawnsign" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">candidate signs</a> for your lawn? CLICK ON THE LINKS!

<h2>Give a Ride, Get a Ride</h2>TCDC can match people who need a ride to the polls with drivers who are willing to give them a lift. To request a ride, or to volunteer to be a driver, call campaign headquarters at 607.319.0327.

district attorney

Matt Van Houten

A District Attorney, also known as a prosecutor, represents the government and is responsible for ensuring that justice is served by prosecuting individuals accused of committing crimes.

Tompkins County District Attorney

The Town of Caroline is governed by a town supervisor and members who sit on the town board.

Jonathan Bates

Danby has a town supervisor and town board; also featured here, the town clerk and highway superintendent. Click on photos for names and titles.

Danby Town Board

Get your volunteers excited with a little intro to the events section!

Campaign Events

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<h3>Bylaws for the Tompkins County Democratic Committee</h3>The rules by which TCDC accepts new members and conducts meetings; appoints officers and assigns their duties; and acts in relation to the town, ward and city committees. <a href="/files/f7f0ceec-b28b-4ce5-95e8-82b8bf3d89da/TCDC_Bylaws_LATEST-6338.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Download a PDF of the bylaws here.</a><h3>TCDC Membership Handbook</h3>The handbook spells out the responsibilities of TCDC members, including duties like attending meetings and carrying petitions. <a href="/files/f7f0ceec-b28b-4ce5-95e8-82b8bf3d89da/TCDC-Handbook-1cac.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">View and download a copy here</a>.<h3>Petitioning Instructions</h3>To get an idea of what the rules for petitioning are like, read and/or <a href="/files/f7f0ceec-b28b-4ce5-95e8-82b8bf3d89da/Petitioning-Instructions-c8be.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">download the 2022 instructions here</a>. Updated instructions and rules for 2025 will be posted shortly after the first of the year.<h3>Petitioning FAQ</h3>The petitioning process can be daunting for newcomers, as a great deal depends on obtaining and reporting signatures accurately. A short list of frequently asked questions can be read and <a href="/files/f7f0ceec-b28b-4ce5-95e8-82b8bf3d89da/Petitioning-85c3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">downloaded here</a>.<h3>Attendance Proxy Form</h3>A fillable form designating a person who can attend a town, ward or city committee meeting for you, but not vote, is <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17YLq9Ji73S9NxAo7QzlYAt9hXFyYXlDT/edit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">available here</a>.(Pictured: The lighthouse at Myers Park in Lansing, NY)

New York Assemblywoman

Anna Kelles

New York's 125th State Assembly District comprises Tompkins and part of Cortland County, and includes the cities of Ithaca and Cortland.

New York State Assembly

New York's U.S. senators are both Democrats. Kirsten Gillibrand has represented New York in the Senate since 2009, when she was appointed to fill a vacancy left when Hillary Clinton became Secretary of State.

United States Senate

Candidate for UNITED STATES SENATE FROM NEW YORK

Kirsten Gillibrand

The Town of Ithaca surrounds the City of Ithaca like a donut, with Cayuga Lake taking a bite out of the top. The Town is governed by a town supervisor and town board. Click on photos to see names and titles.

Ithaca Town Board

Enfield is governed by a town supervisor and town board. Click on photos to see names and titles.

Enfield Town Board

The easiest way to contact TCDC is to send us email at <a href="mailto:ContactUs@tcdemocrats.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ContactUs@tcdemocrats.org</a> or call us at 607-288-3588.Our paper mail address isTompkins County Democratic Committee P.O. Box 6798, Ithaca, NY 14851You can also reach out to any of the <a href="/tcdc-leadership" target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">leadership</a>.(Pictured: Main street in Trumansburg, a village in the Town of Ulysses)

Lansing has a town supervisor and town board. Click on photos for names and titles.

Lansing Town Board

The Town of Lansing is governed by a town supervisor and members who sit on the town board.

The Tompkins County Legislature comprises 14 members who represent the towns and City of Ithaca. Eleven of the members are Democrats, as are the District Attorney, Sheriff and County Clerk. Click on photos to see names and titles.

Tompkins County Legislature

county population

Percent registered Democrat

Put something inspirational here, about what the County Party stands for.

We work hard to ensure the greatest public participation, in our party and in our society.

<h2>"TCDC strives to benefit the general welfare with special attention to those who need it"</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/f7f0ceec-b28b-4ce5-95e8-82b8bf3d89da/d7526607-db59-4cf5-8335-65e676b7be06/babbb19a-a1e4-43d2-9707-f576bac50713.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C860%2C3072%2C3236&amp;w=1500" alt="Danby dog at election HQ" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">"The Tompkins County Democratic Committee (TCDC) helps find candidates and win elections for the Democratic Party. It aims to help Democrats combine their efforts to elect representatives to local, state and national government."These candidates and elected officials, whatever their views on specific issues, are united in their general Democratic philosophy of striving to benefit the general welfare with special attention to those who need it. The Party, at all levels, is an inclusive one, striving for the greatest possible public participation in our society."(From the Tompkins County Democratic Committee Member’s Handbook, Section I, "Party Overview")

Check this page for up-to-date information about the 2024 elections. Visit our campaign headquarters at 119 West Green Street in downtown Ithaca, open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm and, starting in August, Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. And please take a moment to read about this year's Democratic candidates!

Scenes From This Election

Contact TCDC by email at <a href="mailto:ContactUs@tcdemocrats.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ContactUs@tcdemocrats.org</a>Call us at <a href="tel:+16072883588" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">607-288-3588</a>.Or write to us:Tompkins County Democratic Committee P.O Box 6798, Ithaca, NY&nbsp; 14851You can also reach out to any of our officers or committee chairs.(Pictured, L-R: TCDC 1st Vice Chair Cynthia Mannino, NYS Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, TCDC Chair Linda Hoffmann)

TCDC Officers and Committees

Jane Maryanne Doe, Chairman <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:joe@localparty.org">joe@localparty.org</a> | 999-999-9999

John Richardson Doe, Chairman <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:joe@localparty.org">oe@localparty.org</a> | 999-999-9999

Officers

Committee Chairs

TCDC runs on volunteer power! Whatever your skills and expertise, we can find a use for them. Please fill out <a href="/volunteer" target="" rel="noopener">this form</a> if you would like to participate in TCDC activities and our action teams. Our <a href="mailto:volunteers@tcdemocrats.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">volunteer coordinator</a> will be in touch!<h2>Join Our Committee</h2>Anyone who lives in the county and is a registered Democrat can ask to join their town or ward's committee and, from there, apply to join the Tompkins County Democratic Committee. Contact TCDC Chair Linda Hoffmann, <a href="mailto:chair@tcdemocrats.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">chair@tcdemocrats.org</a>, for details.<h2>Get On Our Mailing List</h2>Sign up for <a href="http://tcdemocrats.org/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">our mailing list</a> to keep up on TCDC news and opportunities.<h2>Our Political Action Team</h2>"Taking Action" is the overarching goal of our Political Action Team. The PAT establishes an annual Action Plan blueprint to direct projects and initiatives related to fieldwork, phone and text banks; community outreach; research on national and state elected Republicans who represent Tompkins County; posting of e-blasts; coordination of volunteers and opportunities; voter registration, and writers. To broaden the scope of impact, representatives from the TCDC/Young Democrats, the Cornell University Dems, Ithaca College Dems, and a select group of advisors are on board.<h2>Other Teams/Committees</h2>TCDC also has internal committees for finance, fundraising, issues, technology, and youth outreach and recruitment. See the <a href="https://940cda5c-9499-43f6-be88-96bb2e9f81e9.site-preview.designedtorun.com/tcdc-leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">T</a><a href="https://940cda5c-9499-43f6-be88-96bb2e9f81e9.site-preview.designedtorun.com/tcdc-leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary)">CDC Leadership page</a><a href="https://940cda5c-9499-43f6-be88-96bb2e9f81e9.site-preview.designedtorun.com/tcdc-leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"> </a>for more information.

Volunteer

The City of Ithaca is governed by a mayor and a ten-member Common Council. All of them are Democrats. Click on photos to see names and titles.(Pictured: The Tompkins County Legislature meeting room.)

City of Ithaca, Common Council

<h2>Headline about running for office</h2>Write a document explaining the steps to run for office in your area. You can bulletpoint the major categories of what candidates have to do in the sidebar.

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Make sure you make these deadlines for registering and voting. To check your registration or look up your polling place, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nydems.org/vote">click here</a>.

Key Voting Deadlines

Oct. 26

Oct. 26 - Nov. 3

nov. 5

<h2>Who we are</h2>Our website address is: <a href="https://tcdemocrats.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://tcdemocrats.org</a>.<h2>What personal data we collect and why we collect it</h2><h3>Contact and other forms</h3>We use the information you submit with your form solely to decide who to send it to and to respond to your questions and comments. We do pass on the information to the person who will respond.<h3>Cookies</h3>If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.<h3>Embedded content from other websites</h3>Pages on this site may include embedded content (e.g. maps, videos, images, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.<h2>Who we share your data with</h2>We do not share or sell your data with any third-parties, except as noted above about embedded content, without your consent, except when legally required to do so.<h2>How long we retain your data</h2>If you submit a form request or comment, we will keep it until we are sure we are no longer interacting with you.<h2>What rights you have over your data</h2>You can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.<h2>Where we send your data</h2>We do not send your data anywhere except as noted above.<h2>How to remove yourself from our lists</h2>To unsubscribe from our mailing or phone list, please send an email to <a href="mailto:contactus@tcdemcrats.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ContactUs@tcdemcrats.org</a> with the subject line “Unsubscribe” and indicate in the body of the email which contact list (email, phone or text) you are unsubscribing from.Contact UsIf you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at <a href="mailto:ContactUs@tcdemocrats.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ContactUs@tcdemocrats.org</a>.

Dryden Town government comprises a town supervisor and town board. Click on photos for names and titles.

Dryden Town Board

News, events, opinion, media mentions and press releases, by and about the Tompkins County Democratic Committee and its members.

What's Happening in Tompkins County

<h4>2025: Time together, share, begin healing and take action!</h4>The New Year will find the entire Tompkins County Legislature up for election. In addition, changes in boundaries have increased the number of districts from 14 to 16; see map below (at left, the whole county minus the City of Ithaca; at right, the City).Compare with&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=4e07938b74&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">current maps at this link</a>.Petitioning for Democratic candidates will begin February 25; petitions may be filed from March 31 to April 3. More detailed information, including the Democratic candidates running for the County Legislature, will follow sometime in December.Best regards,Linda Hoffmann, Chair Tompkins County Democratic CommitteeEditor: In addition to the County Legislature, many towns will hold elections in 2025. Anyone interested in running for office should contact the Tompkins County Board of Elections (<a href="https://tompkinscountyny.gov/boe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://tompkinscountyny.gov/boe</a>) for more information on gathering signatures, filing petitions and other requirements. Also: There's a slightly better version of the map below in the Gallery section (scroll all the way down). Editor will search for larger, hi-res version. If anyone knows where we can get one, please email <a href="mailto:claudiawheatleytcdc@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">claudiawheatleytcdc@gmail.com</a>.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f7f0ceec-b28b-4ce5-95e8-82b8bf3d89da/292a4b81-7401-4370-a732-5d69b51793b4/93facc52-2d3c-427a-a46c-5f7bfaebdf17.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C2730&amp;w=1500" alt="2025 County Legislature Boundaries" caption="2025 County Legislature Boundaries" align="left" alignwidth="50" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">2025 County Legislature Boundaries

2025: Time together, share, begin healing and take action!The New Year will find the entire Tompkins County Legislature up for election. In addition, changes in boundaries have increased the number of districts from 14 to 16.

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Message from the Chair

Assemblymember Anna Kelles will wrap up the year&nbsp;with an initiative to save and reuse holiday wrapping paper. Almost five million pounds of the stuff is made each year in the US, and half of it ends up in landfills before the year is over. So:•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Wednesdays, December 4, 11 and 18, noon to 4:00 p.m.:&nbsp;Donate your excess wrapping paper, ribbons, boxes, etc. to Anna’s Ithaca office at 130 East State Street, and/or drop by to pick up donated items instead of buying new.• &nbsp; &nbsp;Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.:&nbsp;You can also drop off items at the History Center in Tompkins County, 110 Tioga Street on the Commons.&nbsp;• &nbsp; &nbsp; Friday, December 20, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.:&nbsp;Attend the Holiday Reuse Wrapping Paper Extravaganza at Anna’s Ithaca office (130 East State Street) to enjoy treats and have Anna and her staff wrap presents for you!• &nbsp; &nbsp; Encourage loved ones to unwrap this year’s gifts carefully,&nbsp;and set aside undamaged wrapping paper, ribbons,boxes and so on for next year’s reuse project.

Assemblymember Anna Kelles will wrap up the year&nbsp;with an initiative to save and reuse holiday wrapping paper. •&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Wednesdays, December 4, 11 and 18, noon to 4:00 p.m.:&nbsp;Donate your excess wrapping paper, ribbons, boxes, etc. to Anna’s Ithaca office at 130 East State Street, and/or drop by to pick up donated items instead of buying new ...

Kelles Wrapping Project

“Rep. Elise Stefanik's nomination by President-elect Donald Trump for U.N. ambassador brings up the inevitable conversation about who will replace her. While the official process of selecting a replacement has not yet begun, speculation certainly has,”&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=4e7c0e4043&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Spectrum News 1 reported</a>&nbsp;in mid-November. …“On the Republican side, one name in particular shot to the front of the conversation, and that is Schoharie area Assemblymember Chris Tague. Tague told Spectrum News 1 that he and his team are “seriously considering” a run as he praised Stefanik.“‘To have your name brought up with the likes of Elise Stefanik, I think, is a big deal. I think if you look at my record in the state Assembly, or even as a town supervisor, I have been a champion for rural upstate New York,’ Tague said.”Editor: Tries to think of even ONE instance of Stefanik championing anything but Donald Trump, her political career and how Trump could advance her political career.Fails to do so.

“Rep. Elise Stefanik's nomination by President-elect Donald Trump for U.N. ambassador brings up the inevitable conversation about who will replace her. While the official process of selecting a replacement has not yet begun, speculation certainly has,”&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=4e7c0e4043&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Spectrum News 1 reported</a>&nbsp;in mid-November. …“On the Republican side, one name in particular shot to the front of the conversation, and that is Schoharie area Assemblymember Chris Tague ...

The Vacancy Next Door

Yeeessss …Governor Kathy Hochul has predicted that at least three GOP-held House seats will flip—and&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=a904297d36&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">City &amp; State New York</a>&nbsp;made some educated guesses about which ones:"Hochul was mum on exactly which three districts she believed were still flippable, but polling and the partisan lean of the districts suggest the party's best bets to grow its ranks are&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=e4c5164082&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Laura Gillen</a>&nbsp;in the 4th Congressional District,&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=b56fa67e98&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Josh Riley</a>&nbsp;in the 19th Congressional District [emphasis added] and state Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=a8b15aeda0&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">John Mannion</a>&nbsp;in the 22nd Congressional District. Recent polls show&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=5e140b2ce0&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">former CNN anchor John Avlon trailing LaLota</a>&nbsp;in the 1st Congressional District and former Rep. Mondaire&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=d105850fea&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Jones trailing Lawler</a>&nbsp;in the 17th Congressional District."Of course, it’s still up to all of us. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5; see details on&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=fc54fa2b58&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">the TCDC website</a>, and if you haven’t already done so, VOTE!

Governor Kathy Hochul has predicted that at least three GOP-held House seats will flip—and&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=a904297d36&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">City &amp; State New York</a>&nbsp;thinks one of the Dems who'll win is our own <a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=b56fa67e98&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Josh Riley</a>&nbsp;in the 19th Congressional District.

Is NY-19 Flippable?

Democrat Josh Riley and Republican Congressman Marc Molinaro met for a&nbsp;debate October 10, moderated by area journalists, posing questions selected by a panel of reporters from contributions from the general public. <a href="https://wnyt.com/top-stories/molinaro-riley-debate-at-newschannel-13-studio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Watch it here.</a>

Democrat Josh Riley and Republican Congressman Marc Molinaro met for a&nbsp;debate October 10, moderated by area journalists, posing questions selected by a panel of reporters from contributions from the general public. <a href="https://wnyt.com/top-stories/molinaro-riley-debate-at-newschannel-13-studio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Watch it here.</a>

Watch Riley, Molinaro Debate

State Senator Lea Webb debated challenger Mike Sigler Thursday, Oct. 17, on WSKG. <a href="https://www.wskg.org/regional-news/2024-10-18/webb-sigler-discuss-housing-climate-health-care-during-live-wskg-debate" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Watch the debate here.</a>

State Senator Lea Webb debated challenger Mike Sigler Thursday, Oct. 17, on WSKG. <a href="https://www.wskg.org/regional-news/2024-10-18/webb-sigler-discuss-housing-climate-health-care-during-live-wskg-debate" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Watch the debate here.</a>

Watch Webb, Sigler Debate

TCDC Chair Linda Hoffmann received the following letter from an organization that seeks to pass the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in the House this year.Dear Linda,You may have read the recent article in the Ithaca&nbsp;Times&nbsp;about the Common Council reaffirming their support for the federal Equal Rights Amendment thanks to the leadership of Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo.Here is a link to the story:&nbsp;<a href="https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.XaF8mXqsA6b2dSPmhsleMV4dESTarJqHujtsXP-SXqIQiCozV02ZcsCiJION6uQK5oSJHjRB81Zal7fU38Ns3hUS5jn7fwAVn2LawUoKUN08La4zLXrQDD8rJaSQU-kx5OouydDb_khg-keynTSpmagR8Nu9XnewIsV2upJZYtSNcI7bJwwk9iLR8EvKz90T2gtdfuLqoRC-BH4GgZU-Vqw92xDLhsvhHYHVVatRPxyObvnimGmX9XGkuQpOTaZwhhjN172ygFYGLcJi58C7Rgwob_yHWECOGEgyPbUmo-DLbVSvuNHlNzz4Gs4u2ZFg8VnGflE5gX2kYkAmIWexd8bHb-UZ2BhBlZIr2PD36dQr7Xe5QMVzBIftCyT826l9ig6cZxTx0Zq-glGUzAlL8TZCqTtyLlK9SkSCMleMRg1MInS_WyDeVdNnuQca1AvM7e2QRnK12TAm7DeEA5Zf63ccKXnmPrmaOBm20LYy35tbsB0le_AyCRKUBdH8T1XyE3qKvJ140RfH6-ZiOjAxtDcLKHNc7yxEQDT97Hj1a68gcv-kTTsHj9UJ6hyeK_0d/4am/OvAZ6gQPT62cFoXACd4pGA/h0/h001.MPgtzhO0CUJZJ3pmL9RC23dbwNIifDcnScAOYYUTEUE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Ithaca Times.</a>The Council’s resolution specifically asks for Congress to pass the&nbsp;<a href="https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.XaF8mXqsA6b2dSPmhsleMYfbIlJMx_YFyWr8zCejJDCkolxu0Qmmn5ak3Fz71FgRe8RZkqZ-1Q4goAahfpdM1kd2XrOh2Ug6fHIZ5fWikAg1HmtbTC65XZNX5jmTvB5ygCUBwe6zV3qPSDwK5cHyAYSR3i6HBeHV4aHuGBUdNSUJsYD1b1imZXPjEABEoz3KB7c99t-LPjiJQp69Q71VUJE4iacCjOhYWqj4zVQC0cjXSsVnyZDOvl2YEL_rELITcAD21kvgIU8gPVvtjNds8_zEFzjVRHtaJn08TMH-UiMf2bWZALLXy7bBMMs3Go-2j010LU_zsgg5zc2SRiPCDUUyLPg9eh6tjCL5Cwz9dtbqnqodmclTYwEQXNrFU8frKcH7D_Q4hVOX0HuBZO_t_I_BeJch8KuhG_xRcSIybXI/4am/OvAZ6gQPT62cFoXACd4pGA/h1/h001.TxBxjyBV7zluCb6_cwtpe8UhQ2EZZ8DayuaJyHc4Kvk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">House ERA resolution</a>&nbsp;and the petition to discharge it to the floor. Your member of Congress, Representative Marc Molinaro, is quoted in the article as saying “he would not sign the petition.”While the Congress is in its recess until November 12, a discharge petition cannot be signed, however a member can still co-sponsor a resolution.We are hoping Representative Molinaro will consider becoming a co-sponsor given the statements on his&nbsp;<a href="https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.XaF8mXqsA6b2dSPmhsleMWlhyPB4xTgb7c3LtLNwAGTWs1_0ujAas4zJ9AShHx0IQCA5WSXKtC_OlxzIU2ZDOBATrZrpx1qvGgRq4X6wnVcV7o2U4xhOefsWafp9sbnKMGgB_OL5Bn1hpMaZddKx9U2kAhBZ-ffJzZDC2lJ5OgiozhppCaALNigCoBh3mV5KpcpMJhIxH7YkkHr4OM28kNXJ7xkwvqKoExNcqvgMhrBfPDN6WBQ0hUKdXkblhzyURnsFpIwRp17LYZ5sF3bmhJEXE0M6Tj9MBsO6XuHxMDrvjwhofoST4mCQVh0hS-fDJFMKZxdGUd6qKgpTJ4IWrhrKectfnN1bHNnc8VFgeNpXQ7nw4MyYXYmGfh5KagnkA4_IOHs6lY9AYNTuhMQ4DCp7e5hzC8gJPdl18l222DzXP37_JuZk9tQtOY5gxLSa/4am/OvAZ6gQPT62cFoXACd4pGA/h2/h001.EFrfK50qSqNpTVxBM6DY2G9Eu71FPhcLm4pmNZgfXbE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">campaign website</a>&nbsp;including support for women’s equality, as reflected in his campaign message:&nbsp;“Health decisions should be between a woman and her doctor, not Washington.”This past week, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOC) released a&nbsp;<a href="https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.NV3IV8RXB3BPG-RgoenRirqcXWyFuP3-v20FgqTalkKTL6nQmH1mAJ4_LdV5NSvcgsiblgsVaCMILTUdsSGhooVoMDgq16lzi9XGzpHt__Q-XLXwQ1G1bB6hm7i7zcuos26IKw5osuApipwTDDHp9FcXZ5dTvREQKZMDlSq4p0gbVbXmz6dmY-9bjO3l4icrVfIrWBHhTdMhw3T4UptGCVZ9VqerXsxdyYG5H0SjmJVxiazFycku6HpC79kxZmsE_CpQla4eoO9fJU4cY_GxbBwsEXCtbNwlWMGRdpLG81UCp9D26xLZS7qzCn3bLip9R-uahVlPib_WDj3POyJUcfk8OZAaWweLmDSSKCb-1PRETRjvLyW-UDY_ccM0IfWcKZUlMY-u8NEC6gI19tfVQ2wern00nyA5eVpOTqYgjHI0H1dPCPv6V8hdtQIauc2L46riYSOGjrJm20zV0hEQdVyRrzQxBBrQdhqchdiw4t9bXXExaEKtlXDwCmUr9F6SOpvu-HayXpJ3BsBYfkX_amAdieaMJ4OTOPjinqviV2E/4am/OvAZ6gQPT62cFoXACd4pGA/h3/h001.Ul3VmgZ_LGyNMTtJm2Y7cWnGcSl8QzsPu2bnj92fCFk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">statement</a>&nbsp;in support of the ERA that reads:We urge the United States Congress and the administration to do everything in their power to finalize the Equal Rights Amendment so that the promise of equal rights under the law, including the right to access comprehensive reproductive health care such as abortion, may be realized.<a href="https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.CASeAZo2rbazGNtD87grVbeRrLuVV_2pXx8YJbzVNFXR2RYCDPjrmhJiAertBr-2fxBqbYWCQsI6vXiKlWiA1_etbR2iHxnKW-4l82i-ZHxsNssNsLx8Hin01tptTt23witFxdVlOctnz0okwEGlryNdI5tB7oaU1NvNiv2rr14WUMwSqLyY4nhdJ70ZB4pZinoFrVUp2LSNjNeoa1mGQzr0usOlb6DBvORw_2mEExlZCRpa5xNxz1Ru9Jracw6Uha5pXmc9r1WGnhzw0LG5TdRfRIw4pKjbcC4a7p7G8TOwt-1mj-GuKf_Bphic0CTAdo8xB_6wfCUZROPvFZgGfowvz8ajVFwhWl3xVnDYw-k/4am/OvAZ6gQPT62cFoXACd4pGA/h4/h001.8BqWbLkvcozaKa54ubjse2NZHTJ5l00l_vIYo6Un_Is" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Sign4ERA</a>&nbsp;is working to make sure Congressman Molinaro understands that the ERA is critical to implementing his statement about women’s health.We are asking that you join in this effort by sending a personal email to Representative Molinaro, either to his Congressional office via this link:&nbsp;<a href="https://molinaro.house.gov/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://molinaro.house.gov/contact/</a>Or, send a message to his campaign website at this email: <a href="https://www.marcforus.com/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.marcforus.com/contact</a>Urge him to co-sponsor&nbsp;<a href="https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.XaF8mXqsA6b2dSPmhsleMYfbIlJMx_YFyWr8zCejJDCkolxu0Qmmn5ak3Fz71FgRe8RZkqZ-1Q4goAahfpdM1kd2XrOh2Ug6fHIZ5fWikAhfkRDBQYjNucdg3DTFjvFOQgD5s1Q4CvN-LTSh8QRDZepQtxZfE1YTBkIX6O5ZXh4TGtbCyPmlONwwR_DylOGUJi3lBZw86IBnkUEACSdOJoB0ldNAllW_OmOLfIw3InyqdTUA0llBn7y-nkzKt_UkmZcPJvfKTlqITdabXhPiOZtviKVD-1HYqk_M9hkLEUQNFocak2KJjBH1D5Lzt-7VYov9SiVLNy-up_DrM-MW67vsoMRvYbkx7ndx4nNcCskrgWYGL6ADCGMJQT9g4y-CVbZJ1vmHOPtQ5cL8pBKrF92mF2YFsY20BWp2FQQpjI8/4am/OvAZ6gQPT62cFoXACd4pGA/h7/h001.5HXG3TNg_4HIlJCTmCwt_PbxV7DiKDlVaTtHCBg0IGI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">House Joint Resolution #25</a>&nbsp;on the ERA during the Congressional recess.If you need more information, contact us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:team@Sign4ERA.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">team@Sign4ERA.org</a>.For equality,Team&nbsp;<a href="http://Sign4ERA.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Sign4ERA.org</a>P.S. Please continue to ask friends and family to sign our National ERA Petition,&nbsp;<a href="http://Sign4ERA.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Sign4ERA.org</a>&nbsp;by forwarding this email to others in your network.

TCDC Chair Linda Hoffmann received the following letter from an organization that seeks to pass the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in the House this year.Dear Linda,You may have read the recent article in the Ithaca&nbsp;Times&nbsp;about the Common Council reaffirming their support for the federal Equal Rights Amendment thanks to the leadership of Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo.Here is a link to the story:&nbsp;<a href="https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.XaF8mXqsA6b2dSPmhsleMV4dESTarJqHujtsXP-SXqIQiCozV02ZcsCiJION6uQK5oSJHjRB81Zal7fU38Ns3hUS5jn7fwAVn2LawUoKUN08La4zLXrQDD8rJaSQU-kx5OouydDb_khg-keynTSpmagR8Nu9XnewIsV2upJZYtSNcI7bJwwk9iLR8EvKz90T2gtdfuLqoRC-BH4GgZU-Vqw92xDLhsvhHYHVVatRPxyObvnimGmX9XGkuQpOTaZwhhjN172ygFYGLcJi58C7Rgwob_yHWECOGEgyPbUmo-DLbVSvuNHlNzz4Gs4u2ZFg8VnGflE5gX2kYkAmIWexd8bHb-UZ2BhBlZIr2PD36dQr7Xe5QMVzBIftCyT826l9ig6cZxTx0Zq-glGUzAlL8TZCqTtyLlK9SkSCMleMRg1MInS_WyDeVdNnuQca1AvM7e2QRnK12TAm7DeEA5Zf63ccKXnmPrmaOBm20LYy35tbsB0le_AyCRKUBdH8T1XyE3qKvJ140RfH6-ZiOjAxtDcLKHNc7yxEQDT97Hj1a68gcv-kTTsHj9UJ6hyeK_0d/4am/OvAZ6gQPT62cFoXACd4pGA/h0/h001.MPgtzhO0CUJZJ3pmL9RC23dbwNIifDcnScAOYYUTEUE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Ithaca Times.</a>

Sign4ERA to Molinaro: Deeds Not Words

HOUSE SITTING: Marc Molinaro jumped right aboard last month’s anti-Haitian bandwagon&nbsp;By Claudia Montague WheatleyAnn Reichlin, who usually writes&nbsp;House Sitting,&nbsp;has devoted all her energies to registering voters in Tompkins County last month and this. Editor Claudia Montague Wheatley is guest-writing this month’s column—these are her opinions, and hers alone.What are we to think about “Moderate” Marc Molinaro—the Republican Member of Congress who bills himself as being above the MAGA crowd?Here’s my take: He’s just as apt to leverage racism and xenophobia as any other motley member of the formerly Grand Old Party. Molinaro proved it last month, by adopting the anti-Haitian libel spread by Republican V.P. candidate J.D. Vance and his running mate, Donald Trump.Vance started it by sharing “concerns” (read: rumors) about the supposed disappearance of household pets in Springfield, Ohio—the state he represents in the U.S. Senate. There was a time when a Republican senator would tread carefully around a story that immigrants who had come into the country legally were stealing and eating his constituents’ dogs and cats—but this is not that time and Vance is not that senator.Trump seized on the rumors with his usual lack of regard for facts, blurting out, “They’re eating the pets” during his September 10 debate with Kamala Harris. That’s when the story really took off: to the detriment of Haitian immigrants in Ohio, and also to their non-immigrant neighbors. There were bomb threats. School and business closures. Vandalism aimed at the newcomers. Haitian residents became fearful. City officials begged Trump and Vance to stop.Instead, Vance announced in an interview that he “created” the pet-eating story to draw media attention to the “suffering” of Ohioans. What suffering? The media never got around to answering that question, focusing instead on the outrageousness of the lie and the threats of violence it sparked.Molinaro waded into the fray even before the debate,&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=e46cb77ae0&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">sharing a photo</a>&nbsp;of a Black man carrying a goose and a “news” story about pet-eating from a right-wing outlet on Twitter/X. He blamed the “border crisis” on his opponent, Democrat Josh Riley, who is not (yet) in Congress. When called on it, Molinaro fell back on the Vance “creating stories” excuse. “It took a cat tweet to get the attention about a border crisis that wouldn’t be happening without Josh Riley,” Molinaro said,&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=ecf420617a&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">in a statement</a>.It took very little sleuthing to discover that the Black man in the photo was a municipal employee of a different Ohio city, whose job included disposing of dead water fowl from city parks—and that the “news” story was based on rumors started when a Springfield woman’s cat went missing—only to be found a few days later, alive and well, in her own basement.Marc the MINO (Moderate In Name Only) did no sleuthing at all. He tarred an entire community of hard-working immigrants, who were invited to move to Springfield to fill sorely needed jobs, with the same brush Vance and Trump had used. And he did so just to score points against an opponent.Such casual affixing of a target on an already beleaguered minority, for purely personal gain, is unacceptable no matter who is doing it. When done by a member of Congress, it is many times more egregious. We need to take it many times more seriously.We have lots of good reasons to vote for Josh Riley. Now there’s one more very good reason to urge voters in NY-19 to reject Molinaro. Marc the MINO has revealed himself to be a racist, cut from the same rancid cloth as the worst members of his party. With “moderates” like him in the House, voting on matters that affect our lives, who needs extremists?

Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro is just as apt to leverage racism and xenophobia as any other motley member of the formerly Grand Old Party. Molinaro proved it last month, by adopting the anti-Haitian libel spread by Republican V.P. candidate J.D. Vance and his running mate, Donald Trump.

Molinaro Hates on Haiti

Democrats offer high-quality candidates and an optimistic platformEarly voting begins Saturday, October 26. Voters face stark choices among candidates: Democrats campaigning on an optimistic, can-do platform; Republicans offering a dystopian vision based on fears buttressed by lies.By now most of us can recite our candidates’ names by heart: Josh Riley, NY-19; Lea Webb, NY-52; Anna Kelles, NY-125, and so on. As we discuss them with prospective voters, let’s keep the focus on their merits—but don’t shy away from their opponents’ negatives.Congressional candidate<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=a2e143e220&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary)"> Josh Riley</a>&nbsp;was a working-class kid from Endicott who studied hard in high school and graduated from William and Mary and Harvard Law. Like many locals, he worked in a big city (Washington) to hone skills, then moved back home. Riley’s deep Southern Tier roots and the experience he acquired in Washington will make him an unflagging champion for women, children and the working and middle class in Congress.Riley’s opponent, Marc Molinaro, projects a fake centrist image but voted against reimbursing servicewomen who have to travel to obtain abortions. The AFL-CIO says Molinaro has voted for working people only 10 percent of the time. If re-elected, he will certainly vote to renew the deficit-busting rich people’s tax cut of 2017. Molinaro’s vicious, dangerous lies about Haitian immigrants and crime shame him and us.State Senator&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=0162f341ed&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Lea Webb</a>&nbsp;has a sterling record. She fights to expand access to health care and the ballot for all New Yorkers, and has delivered meaningful state funding to Tompkins County: In September alone, Senator Webb announced state grants of $20,000 to the William George Agency for Children’s Services in Freeville, $250,000 to the Ithaca Fire Department for a new fire rescue boat and $103,000 to the State Theatre for operating expenses.&nbsp;Her opponent, Mike Sigler, opposes abortion except for rape, incest and the health of the mother. He joined other New York Republicans in suing to overturn a law widening early voting ballot access to absentee voters.Assemblywoman&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=1ff13ef61d&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Anna Kelles</a>&nbsp;is running unopposed but has a record worth noting. She and Senator Webb make an excellent team, joining forces to save Ithaca Car Share and sponsoring bills in the Senate and Assembly to protect our lakes and other waterways.Locally,&nbsp;District Attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=e5d75d42fc&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Matt Van Houten</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;City Court Judge&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=9dfdeb58ae&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Rick Wallace</a>&nbsp;are also running unopposed for re-election.&nbsp;Judge&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=6169b3940d&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Maura Kennedy-Smith</a>&nbsp;is running unopposed for County Judge. All three are widely respected for fair-minded, forward-looking performances in office.U.S. Senator&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=90ce99ca99&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Kirsten Gillibrand</a>&nbsp;was appointed to replace Hillary Clinton in 2009. She has been an invaluable advocate for local undertakings, like Dryden’s broadband internet project, and national ones like the PACT Act, which extended benefits for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other toxic substances.Her opponent, Mike Sapraicone, is … endorsed by Donald Trump, with all that goes with it. Sapraicone pushes the same grotesque lies about immigrants and crime. He calls New York’s abortion laws too liberal and suggests a seven-week ban. And how, exactly, is a retired LEO/private investigator with no legislative experience qualified to serve in the U.S. Senate?&nbsp;At the top of our ticket is a dynamic pair with a lifetime of public service.&nbsp;Presidential candidate <a href="https://kamalaharris.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;jailed drug dealers and sex traffickers as San Francisco District Attorney; as California Attorney General, she clawed back money from predatory lenders. As U.S. Senator and Vice President, she has championed women’s rights to access health care and negotiated with countries of origin to reduce refugee traffic at the southern border.Vice presidential contender <a href="https://kamalaharris.com/meet-governor-tim-walz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Tim Walz</a>&nbsp;was a teacher and coach. He served in the National Guard. In Congress Walz worked across the aisle to support service people and veterans. As governor of Minnesota, he secured free meals for every school kid, stood up for women’s rights, championed the middle and working class and cut taxes.Republican Donald Trump lost his inherited wealth in a string of bankruptcies, entering new business sectors without learning about them first and ignoring the experts (sound familiar?). He brags about overturning Roe when he isn’t running away from Dobbs. A draft dodger, he disparages the military. His only legislative achievement was the 2017 tax cut for the wealthy, which fueled the largest deficit in American history. A felon, he owes millions in damages to a woman he was found guilty of sexually assaulting. On January 6th, 2021, he attacked our 248-year-old democracy to overturn an election.Trump’s running mate, J.D.Vance, supports a national abortion ban; believes government shouldn’t support childcare, and has decried laws that enable women to divorce abusive husbands. His statements about crime and immigrants are as vicious as they are false.Finally, New Yorkers will vote on Prop One, an&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=b32cd795d9&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Equal Rights Amendment</a>&nbsp;to the state constitution. This has been 101 years in the making (see “Looking Back” in this newsletter). It’s the right thing to do, and past time to do it!Democrats at the national, state and local level will fight to secure a just and prosperous future for all of us, whatever our party, gender, ethnicity or religion. But we must set them up for success. Talk to everyone about the elections. Urge people to vote Democratic across the whole ballot (and to flip their ballot to vote for Prop One).The motto is, We Aren’t Going Back. Do this, and we won’t go back!Linda Hoffmann, Chair Tompkins County Democratic Committee

Democrats offer high-quality candidates and an optimistic platformEarly voting begins Saturday, October 26. Voters face stark choices among candidates: Democrats campaigning on an optimistic, can-do platform; Republicans offering a dystopian vision based on fears buttressed by lies.

Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Anna Kelles have announced that the State Theatre will receive $103,000 to help cover operational expenses. The funding, part of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 State Budget passed earlier this year, reflects a broader commitment to revitalizing historic theaters throughout Upstate New York.The full announcement, featuring both state lawmakers, Ithaca’s mayor and other local officials, can be&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=cad7d825a1&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">watched here</a>.

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Webb, Kelles Deliver State Funds for State Theatre

Local artist In Shik Lee designed an eye-popping Harris-Walz yardscape, visible to everyone flying into or out of the Tompkins County airport (and local drones). Her equally talented husband, local carpenter Stephen Merwin, executed it at the couple’s property outside of Freeville with next-level mowing prowess. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&amp;si=36q6tgA-9QvX-TKY&amp;v=662hD1wKAmU&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">View it on YouTube</a>.

Local artist In Shik Lee designed an eye-popping Harris-Walz yardscape, visible to everyone flying into or out of the Tompkins County airport. Her equally talented husband, local carpenter Stephen Merwin, executed it at the couple’s property outside of Freeville. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&amp;si=36q6tgA-9QvX-TKY&amp;v=662hD1wKAmU&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">View it on YouTube</a>.

Biggest. Yard sign. EVER.

Stories like Ryan Hamilton's are not unique in Texas, thanks to that state's abortion laws. They expose the lie that exceptions are made for rape, incest and life of the mother. They also prove that abortion is not just “a woman’s issue.”

Three Days in Hell

Ithaca's Southside Community and State Senator Lea Webb will mark the first day of Early Voting in New York with a "Golden Day for Democracy" Saturday, October 26, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Southside Community Center, 305 South Plain Street, Ithaca.&nbsp;October 26 is also the last day to register to vote in New York State. It is a historic occasion, as it allows individuals to register and vote on the same day for the first time in New York state history.The event will feature live music by&nbsp;DJ EVO EVOLUTION, along with free food, fun activities, and games for children.

Ithaca's Southside Community and State Senator Lea Webb will mark the first day of Early Voting in New York with a "Golden Day for Democracy" Saturday, October 26, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Southside Community Center, 305 South Plain Street, Ithaca.

Southside, Webb to Host Early Voting Festival

ERA in 2024: Let’s Get This Show on the Road!I hope by now everyone is familiar with the push to add the&nbsp;Federal Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)&nbsp;to the U.S.Constitution this year. Not by next decade, or even next year, but in 2024.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f7f0ceec-b28b-4ce5-95e8-82b8bf3d89da/bf628b0c-5805-494c-8017-59ab9e7fc57a/d2d06ed3-ceb0-4fff-8527-a166765a5932.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2898%2C1250&amp;w=1500" alt="Sign4ERA bus" caption="The Sign4ERA bus promotes the need for four Republicans to request the House to take action to make the ERA the 28th amendment to the Constitution." align="left" alignwidth="47.5" variant="base">The Sign4ERA bus promotes the need for four Republicans to request the House to take action to make the ERA the 28th amendment to the Constitution.If you’re not familiar, you can look up the details at the&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=25de662cff&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Sign4ERA website</a>.&nbsp;This federal ERA initiative is distinct from&nbsp;Proposition One, New York State’s ERA. The state ERA was described in a&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=120b46bd00&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">guest column by Mickey Belosi</a>, Vice Chair of CNY NOW, in last month’s DASH.Even with only three months left in 2024, we can make the federal ERA happen by recruiting enough members of the House of Representatives to bring House Joint Resolution 25 to the floor for a vote. If it passes, the ERA becomes the 28th Amendment.Of course, there’s a catch. We need 218 signatures from voting House members to begin the process. To date we have 214. To reach the goal, we’re going to need to reach across the aisle.And that’s where four New York Republicans, including our own congressman, Marc Molinaro, come in.As constituents, we have a right to ask our elected representatives to support initiatives close to our hearts. I hope everyone reading this will go to Molinaro’s website (<a href="http://molinaro.house.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">molinaro.house.gov</a>), click on the Contact button and urge him to sign Discharge Petition #6 to bring ERA House Resolution 25 to the floor for a vote this session. Please ask friends and relatives who live in New York’s 19th congressional district to do the same. Write&nbsp;<a href="mailto:team@Sign4ERA.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">team@Sign4ERA.org</a>&nbsp;if you have questions.Then, if you are free Tuesday, September 3 at 5:30 p.m., join members of the Sign4ERA petition drive at the Tompkins County Library to sign the national petition, which reads:I strongly support the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution as the 28th Amendment which is:Section One: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.Section Two: The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.Such simple statements, to have taken so long to write into law. And as the Dobbs decision repealing Roe v. Wade and the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=24c9ea801a&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Project 2025</a>&nbsp;show us, they are still needed—perhaps now more than ever.Sincerely,Linda Hoffmann, Chair Tompkins County Democratic Committee

We can make the federal ERA happen this year by recruiting enough members of the House of Representatives to bring up a House Joint Resolution for a vote. If it passes, the ERA becomes the 28th Amendment.Of course, there’s a catch ...

Message from the Chair

Ithaca's Robert Cantelmo joins other NYS mayors in supporting congressional action on the Equal Rights Amendment this year. The Sign4ERA tour was in Ithaca Tuesday to drum up interest in the amendment, which has been in constitutional limbo since the 1920s.

Sign4ERA in Ithaca

State Senator Lea Webb announced that she has secured $120,000 in state funds to support infrastructure projects at the&nbsp;Kitchen Theatre Company (KTC). This will enable the organization to renovate its lobby, providing a more welcoming and accessible environment for both artists and patrons.Founded in 1991, KTC has produced more than 200 plays and has consistently challenged audiences to see the world differently. Emily Jackson, Producing Artistic Director, said the state’s investment “signals a deep appreciation and understanding that arts organizations are impactful cultural, social, and economic drivers in our community.”Senator Webb also announced $120,000 in state funding to build an addition to the Picnic (Large) Pavilion at Stewart Park. It will house equipment and supplies for the Stewart Park Day Camp, eliminating the need for campers and staff to cross the parking lot to get camp supplies. The funds will also cover improvements to the Pavilion’s south facade."I am thrilled to have secured this funding for the City of Ithaca,” said Webb. “This park is a cornerstone of our community, offering a space where people of all ages can come together to enjoy recreation, education, and cultural activities.""Ithaca's parks and natural areas are some of its greatest assets,” said Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo. “Senator Webb's continued investment in our public parks demonstrates her strong commitment to the values and needs of our community."

State Senator Lea Webb announced that she has secured $120,000 apiece to support infrastructure projects at two Ithaca venues: the&nbsp;Kitchen Theatre Company (KTC) and Stewart Park.

Webb Delivers for Kitchen Theatre, Stewart Park

Molinaro on Abortion Rights: Setting the Record StraightMarc Molinaro talks a good game on abortion rights. In fact, he's come out with a new ad claiming that he believes that reproductive choices are between a woman and her doctor. While I appreciate the sentiment, I just don't believe that he is sincere.In his first term in Congress, Molinaro has had ample opportunity to support women's reproductive choices; yet time and time again he has voted for amendments that would do exactly the opposite. For example, Marc Molinaro voted Yes on<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=d03031c328&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">&nbsp;H.Amdt.222 to HR 2670</a>, which would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services.Molinaro also voted Yes on the&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=533092e757&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Pregnant Students Rights Act</a>. Although this sounds nice (who wouldn't want more rights?) the bill includes language that implies that college students are pressured to get abortions, and claims that abortion causes numerous health risks such as bleeding, cramping and abdominal pain. Perhaps it has not occurred to Mr. Molinaro that pregnancy carries all of these same risks.Finally, Molinaro voted in favor of a bill that would have hampered regulation of crisis pregnancy centers. In the words of the&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=c4448bafa9&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ACLU</a>: "So-called crisis pregnancy centers are fake abortion clinics that attract patients by advertising free health care services, emotional support, and medical information, then use that trust to manipulate patients and dissuade them from having an abortion."&nbsp;If Mr. Molinaro actually supports reproductive choice, voting Yes on these terrible bills is a weird way to demonstrate it.&nbsp;I recently received a mailer from his campaign proclaiming: “37 bills passed and 11 signed into law.” According to&nbsp;<a href="http://Congress.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Congress.gov</a>, only one bill co-sponsored by Molinaro (along with 300 other cosponsors) has been signed into law:&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=36e966b6f8&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">HR 1096: 250th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Commemorative Coin Act</a>. An additional&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=da1294d81a&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">15 bills</a>&nbsp;for which he is listed as a cosponsor have passed the House, but did not get signed into law. These include the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act and the Parents Bill of Rights. He was also a&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=5ae1ac9a70&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">co-sponsor on 45 resolutions</a>&nbsp;that passed the House, including “National Tire Safety Week,” “Expressing Opposition to the NY Clean Slate Act,” and “Censuring Adam Schiff.” Marc Molinaro did sponsor&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=631a395b582a53d12df7817d6&amp;id=fab72e5787&amp;e=527a80872c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">39 bills</a>, five of which passed the House, but none so far have passed the Senate or been signed into law.Yet his mailer makes it seem as if he sponsored or cosponsored 37 successful bills. I'm not sure how he came up with his numbers. Perhaps he voted for 37 bills that passed the House—which is hardly anything to brag about.&nbsp;It's time to elect Democrat Josh Riley—someone who can actually get things done in Congress. —Ann Reichlin

Marc Molinaro talks a good game on abortion rights. In fact, he's come out with a new ad claiming that he believes that reproductive choices are between a woman and her doctor. While I appreciate the sentiment, I just don't believe that he is sincere.

House Sitting

(Moved from Saturday to avoid rain.) Noon to 5:00 p.m. at 111 Genung Road. Democratic candidates Josh Riley (Congress), Lea Webb (State Senate) and Anna Kelles (Assembly) may make appearances. If you’re going, stop by the Dryden Dems booth where members will be registering and chatting with voters.

(Rain date.) Noon to 5:00 p.m. at 111 Genung Road in Dryden. Democratic candidates Josh Riley, Lea Webb and Anna Kelles may make appearances. If you’re going, stop by the Dryden Dems booth where members will be registering and chatting with voters.

Ellis Hollow Fall Fair

7:00 p.m. in the new Downtown Conference Center, 116 East Green Street, Ithaca. Members: A quorum is necessary. If you can't attend, please ask another member to serve as your proxy. Contact your town/ward committee chair if you have questions.

7:00 p.m. in the new Downtown Conference Center, 116 East Green Street, Ithaca. Members: A quorum is necessary. If you can't attend, please ask another member to serve as your proxy. Contact your town/ward committee chair if you have questions.

TCDC General Meeting

<a href="http://newfielddemocrats.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Newfield Democrats</a> will hold a Meet the Candidates event Wednesday, September 18 from 5:00 7:00 p.m. Congressional candidate Josh Riley, State Assemblywoman Anna Kelles, State Senator Lea Webb and District Attorney Matt Van Houten will attend. Voters can ask questions, talk about issues that concern them and find out how to support Democrats in close elections (in 2022, Riley lost to incumbent Congressman Marc Molinaro by less than percent).Space is limited; contact <a href="mailto:newfield.ny.democrats@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">newfield.ny.democrats@gmail.com</a> to RSVP and get the address for the location.

<a href="http://newfielddemocrats.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">Newfield Democrats</a> will hold a Meet the Candidates event Wednesday, September 18 from 5:00 7:00 p.m. Candidates for Congress, state office and District Attorney will attend.

Newfield Candidate Night

Noon to 6:00 p.m. A <a href="https://www.porchfest.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">free celebration</a> of local music. &nbsp;Performances take place on porches and in yards and driveways. You can help TCDC register voters there by&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.org/volunteer" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">signing up here</a>.

Noon to 6:00 p.m. A <a href="https://www.porchfest.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">free celebration</a> of local music. &nbsp;Performances take place on porches and in yards and driveways. You can help TCDC register voters there by&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.org/volunteer" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">signing up here</a>.

Ithaca Porchfest

The Caroline and Dryden Democratic Committees will host a Meet and Greet event for members and Democratic officials Tuesday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Brookton's Market, 491 Brooktondale Road in Brooktondale.Guests may <a href="http://www.brooktonsmarket.com/menu.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">order from the menu</a> ahead of time, or at the bar when they arrive.&nbsp;A tent will be reserved for the party, but in the case of inclement weather it will be held in the Market itself. Partners are welcome to attend. Please RSVP by September 23 by emailing &nbsp;Renate Ferro&nbsp;(<a href="mailto:rtferro@outlook.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">rtferro@outlook.com</a>).

The Caroline and Dryden Democratic Committees will host a Meet and Greet event for members and Democratic officials Tuesday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Brookton's Market.

Caroline-Dryden Meet Up

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.saltpointbrewing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">Salt Point Brewery,</a> 6 Louise Bement Lane, just off Route 34B in Lansing. Close out the work week with a craft brew and political gab with other TCDC members. The food is good, too! (Attendees purchase their own drinks and snacks.)

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.saltpointbrewing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Salt Point Brewery,</a> 6 Louise Bement Lane, just off Route 34B in Lansing. Close out the work week with a craft brew and political gab with other TCDC members.

Fourth Friday

September 27, 28 and 29 in downtown Ithaca. A <a href="https://www.downtownithaca.com/apple-harvest-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">family-friendly event</a> with music, street performers and food, much of it apple-oriented.&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.org/volunteer" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Sign up here</a>&nbsp;to help TCDC register voters all three days.

September 27, 28 and 29 in downtown Ithaca. A <a href="https://www.downtownithaca.com/apple-harvest-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">family-friendly event</a> with music, street performers and food, much of it apple-oriented.&nbsp;<a href="https://tcdemocrats.org/volunteer" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Sign up here</a>&nbsp;to help TCDC register voters all three days.

Apple Harvest Festival

&nbsp;6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the large pavilion at Stewart Park, 1 James L. Gibbs Drive, Ithaca. Live music! Members: Please bring a dish to pass or drinks to share.

6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the large pavilion at Stewart Park, 1 James L. Gibbs Drive, Ithaca. Live music! Members: Please bring a dish to pass or drinks to share.

TCDC Candidate Barbecue

The Enfield Democratic Committee will host a lecture and Q&amp;A on New York's <a href="https://elections.ny.gov/2024-statewide-ballot-proposal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Proposition One</a> on Sunday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m. The event, which features Mickey Belosi from the National Organization for Women, will be held at the Enfield Community Center, 162 Enfield Main Road in Ithaca, 14850.

The Enfield Democratic Committee will host a lecture and Q&amp;A on New York's <a href="https://elections.ny.gov/2024-statewide-ballot-proposal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Proposition One</a> on Sunday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m. The event, which features Mickey Belosi from the National Organization for Women, will be held at the Enfield Community Center, 162 Enfield Main Road in Ithaca, 14850.

Enfield to Host Prop One Event

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Lea Webb

New York's 52nd Senate District covers all of Tompkins and Cortland counties and part of Broome County.

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