Ithaca mayoral candidate Robert Cantelmo picked up two nice endorsements in recent weeks: One from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and one from local Assemblymember Anna Kelles. “Robert Cantelmo has committed himself to public service to build a better life for his neighbors and community in Ithaca,” Hochul said, in a statement. “I believe Robert is the best candidate to address the housing crisis, promote an inclusive economic recovery, and help advance New York’s transition to a green economy because he has proven himself to be a leader with the passion and experience to get big things done. “I am proud to endorse Robert Cantelmo for Mayor of Ithaca and look forward to continuing to work with him to build a more affordable and livable New York for all,” Hochul added. Cantelmo noted that “Governor Hochul has delivered time and again for New Yorkers, from protecting reproductive rights, to strengthening our gun safety laws, and saving Ithaca Carshare. Her bold action on the state’s housing crisis is a testament to her leadership and policy vision. I am proud and honored to receive the governor’s endorsement, and I look forward to working closely with her administration to lift Ithaca to new […]

by Ann Reichlin Congressman Marc Molinaro cannot be trusted. On this point, most Democrats in New York’s Congressional District 19 would agree. And based on the comments on his Facebook page, it’s likely that his Republican base agrees on this point as well. That’s because Marc Molinaro stands for nothing. When you behave like a weather vane and base your votes on which way the political winds are blowing, you run into trouble when your party’s crosscutting ideological winds become a hurricane. The House GOP is so dysfunctional that in spite of controlling the chamber, it couldn’t even agree on who should be the Speaker. Throughout Molinaro’s brief time on Capitol Hill, he has pitched himself as a moderate. Many of his votes suggest that this is not the case. His series of votes in the Speaker saga only underscore his lack of core values. Act 1: Molinaro does not vote to oust McCarthy (team player, owes his job to McCarthy). Act 2: Molinaro keeps his head down (maybe nobody will notice me). Act 3: Molinaro supports insurrectionist Jim Jordan (claims his constituents don’t care and wouldn’t know the Speaker if a truck backed into them). Act 4: Molinaro supports […]

Shout Out: Thank you for getting out the Democratic Vote! In Tompkins County, more than 50 Democrats have stepped up to serve their communities as town supervisors, board members, clerks and justices. Now, with early voting underway and Election Day next Tuesday, I see everyone working hard, as a team, to Get Out The Vote (GOTV). My message this month is a shout out to YOU. You’re the ones who are leading the charge to GOTV across each of the wards and towns. Your interactions with your committees and voters activates volunteers and energizes them to canvass, develop content for voter mailers, make phone calls, manage messages for your personal or a town or ward social media, do texting.Then there is the distribution of candidate lawn signs. GOTV work is essential in motivating Democratic voters, now and into the future. The fall weather has given way at times to rain and more rain, a challenge for door to door canvassing, yet you continue knocking on doors. Your enthusiasm for our candidates sparks Democratic voter interest.Your voice engages them. In an age when it’s hard to make people look up from their smart phones and laptop screens, you understand the purpose […]

by Ann Reichlin According to the September 19 Cook Report, Marc Molinaro is a toss-up Republican. Perhaps that’s why Mr. Molinaro threw himself into the GOP’s  budget war: A war that they waged against themselves. And he is demonstrating his magic power of morphing to meet the moment. On the one hand, he voted with leadership to advance a continuing resolution to keep the government running. The next minute he collaborated with the prime bomb thrower in the GOP’s Crazy Caucus—the notorious Matt Gaetz—on legislation that moved the Washington Examiner to observe that “Even if the plan manages to work, it won’t get them any closer to avoiding a government shutdown.” Mr. Molinaro cast plenty of odious yes votes, some of them for anti-environment amendments. One would prohibit funding to implement the Paris Climate Accords. Another would prohibit funds to carry out executive orders pertaining to climate change. A third would limit the salary for the Special Envoy for Climate. It is fair to ask, based on these votes, whether Marc Molinaro is a climate change denialist. Then there was another failed attempt by the GOP to pass a Continuing Resolution with only Republican votes. Molinaro voted yes on this […]

A Blue Dot in a Red Upstate Sea I have been Chair of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee for 20 months, and it has been a whirlwind experience. This includes the day-to-day leadership role of the chair and the seeming crisis-of-the-week issues that pop up. During this time I have been privileged to meet and work with many amazing people who, like me, are volunteering their time to the Democratic Party and to ensuring that democracy thrives. This inspires me to keep pushing forward for all of you. Tompkins County is special for many reasons, but the one most relevant to TCDC is the fact that we are a blue dot in a sea of red in upstate New York. Our county committee plays a critical role in electing Democrats to local offices in 2023, as well as offices in the State Assembly and State Senate, and the House and Senate in Washington, DC, in 2024. Next year will also see the election of the President of the United States—and with that comes the future of our democracy. We have a unique opportunity as a county, so let’s take full advantage of it, together. A few of the accomplishments over […]

With Congress in recess, now is a good time to reflect on a simple fact: Democrats get things done by Ann Reichlin Given the tsunami of news pertaining to the indictments of the former president, the actual positive impacts of legislation passed by Democrats and signed by Joe Biden hardly get noticed. Here are just two examples of how Democrats get things done: Making the Internet More Affordable Having access to high-speed, affordable service is essential to success in our internet-connected world. The Affordable Connectivity Program, passed as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, helps offset the cost of broadband by offering a $30-per-month credit on broadband bills for income-eligible customers. Tribal customers are eligible for additional credits. Access this program through the websites of internet providers such as Spectrum and Verizon. Energy Tax Credits The Inflation Reduction Act passed by a Democratic Congress and signed by Democratic president Joe Biden provides several tax credits for energy efficiency and clean energy. This link to the IRS page shows what types of federal energy credits are available this year. A recent Washington Post story describes other ways the Inflation Reduction Act works towards clean energy goals.

Our annual summer party, held this year at CRS Barn Studio in Lansing, featured guest speaker Kathy Hochul. New York’s first woman governor fired up the guests with a spirited reminder of the values we share as Democrats. State Assemblywoman Anna Kelles and Senator Webb also spoke. New York Supreme Court candidate Deirdre Hay took advantage of our summer party to huddle with Governor Hochul to discuss various initiatives for New York State. She also participated in the Groton Olde Town Day Parade with the Groton Democrats! Hay’s campaign now has lawn signs; click on this link to request a sign or bumper sticker, or to volunteer. For an overview of her campaign, visit www.hayfornysjustice.com.

TCDC and the Town of Ithaca Democratic Committee hosted Family Fun Day at Stewart Park on August 20. A free event where residents of the City and Town of Ithaca could learn about local government, Fun Day also gave visitors a chance to meet local Democratic candidates and elected public officials. Family Fun Day (L-R): New York Supreme Court nominee Deirdre Hay, Fun Day co-organizer Liz Hartman and State Senator Lea Webb.

Support Your Local Elections! In Texas, local governments are considering new laws that would make it illegal to transport anyone to get an abortion on roads within their municipal limits. Imagine if abortion became illegal in New York state but remained legal in Connecticut, and the Broome County legislature adopted the Texas law. A person suspected of driving a woman from Ithaca to Danbury along Route 79 could be sued for “abortion trafficking” by a stranger in Whitney Point. Local government matters. Local elections matter, too. 2023 is proving to be a robust year for local elections in Tompkins County. Voters in the City of Ithaca will elect a new mayor and fill all ten seats on Common Council. Candidates are running for councilperson, supervisor, clerk, highway superintendent and justice in the towns of Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Ithaca, Lansing, Newfield, and Ulysses. County Judge Joe Cassidy, who is seeking re-election, and Deidre Hay, who is running to become a Justice on the New York State Supreme Court, will also be on the ballot. Some would call this an “off” year, saving their attention, enthusiasm and donations for presidential elections. But the facts speak for themselves: In the U.S. we […]

Young people have been turning out to vote in opposition to Donald Trump and the Republican culture wars since 2018. A recent Harvard Youth poll indicates that the trend toward progressive attitudes on issues like gun control and climate change action shows no signs of flagging. The question for Democrats is, How can we help these new voters turn their opinions into votes for our candidates? Source: Harvard Youth Poll