March 2024 Newsletter

Hello out there!

Theresa, here, with an update on redistricting.

First, though, some background:

Every ten years the country has a census. We do this is to make sure that the people are being proportionally represented in the House of Representatives. After a census, some states gain or lose representatives, and that can have big consequences. After the 2020 census, New York lost one representative in Congress.

There has been a whole lot of legal bickering about where our Congressional District lines should be, and little Schoharie has been tossed around like a ping pong ball. We used to be in District 19, where we helped to get Antonio Delgado elected. Then, we were put into District 21, where we are now represented by Elise Stefanik. For a moment, we were going to be in District 19, but we are going to stay in District 21. These are decisions that have been made by the legislature and the courts, as each party did its best to draw the districts in their favor.

Here are the links to our Congressional, State Senate and State Assembly Districts.

Our Representative to the US House is (R) Elise Stefanik. There are two Democrats who want to run against her.

Our NYS Senator is (R) Peter Oberacker. There is one fantastic Democratic Candidate who wants to run against him. Here are her details.

Our NYS Assembly Person is (R) Christopher Tague. There are three Democratic Candidates who want to run against him.

The first step to getting on the ballot is for the candidate to collect signatures. Candidates at every level have to collect signatures. If a person from the neighborhood approaches you, this is what you need to know:

You can only sign one petition for each office. There is information on the candidates later in the newsletter.
The person carrying the petition will tell you how to write in your address.
If you want to help out, reach out! We would love to introduce you to our candidates and have you carry a petition!

Of course, there is a lot of work happening behind the scenes to prepare for the election cycle, and we welcome those who want to pitch in. We particularly need help in communications. Would you like to help with social media and the newsletter? Reach out to me at info@schohariedemocrats.org.

In solidarity,

Theresa Heary

SCDC Chair

The Candidates

Information for all candidates was provided by them, several wrote their own statements.

NYS Congressional District 21 (opposing Stefanik)

There are two candidates running for the Democratic nomination, Paula Collins (name corrected) and Steve Holder. We have just returned to this district and do not yet have bios from them.

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 51 (opposing Oberacker)

Michele Frazier

Michele is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at SUNY Delhi, former Oneonta city council member, and current real estate agent in Oneonta. She grew up in Delaware County, part of a farm family. As chief financial officer of her family’s geranium agri-business, she understands the precarity of crop production and balancing labor needs with costs. Part of her role was managing the multimillion-dollar budget, while spearheading initiatives to improve operational efficiency and profitability. Her deep commitment to the work of diversity, equity and inclusion appears throughout her educational path, daily life and volunteer activities. She has first-hand experience with housing issues, the need for deeply supportive infrastructure and maximizing our rural environment both for new growth and development as well as the working class and farm economy. As a parent of three children, she is committed to an educational system with access to services for all families and municipal government that responds to real community needs. Michelle is ready to work tirelessly on issues from economic inequities and criminal justice reform to strong community structures that address current and future issues. We can expect her to introduce thoughtful, innovative legislation on our behalf, unlike the current occupant of the seat.

NY STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 102 (Opposing Tague)

Mary T. Finneran Candidate statement

Upstate NY has always been Mary Finneran’s home having been raised in Painted Post NY in Steuben County at the source of the Chemung River. She has also lived in Western NY on Lake Erie, Central NY in Syracuse, the Delaware River Valley, and for over two decades in Greene County. She currently lives in Cairo with her husband and rescued cats.

Mary was a union welder for three years prior to attending Syracuse University for Art Education, graduating summa cum laude. She worked in Chittenango High School for two years when she was accepted into the three year MFA Ceramics program at SU. Upon graduation she worked as an art teacher for twenty five years in Chautauqua, Sullivan, and Greene counties, being especially active in her union while teaching at Coxsackie-Athens High School for the last 15 years of her career.

Mary has always been in love with the natural beauty and wildlife of New York State which has lead her to be an environmental organizer, lobbyist, and volunteer for several groups, including the Sierra Club. She has also been very concerned about those people marginalized by poverty and the inequities inherent in society and has volunteered for social justice groups, as well, most recently she has been working to counter the climate crises. She hopes to be able to make a difference effecting change via legislation for many of her concerns.
https://www.sierraclub.org/atlantic/blog/2019/11/mary-finneran-2019-bio

Hebert Joseph - Candidate statement
I am Hebert Joseph , and I was born in Port au Prince, Haiti, one of the poorest countries on the planet. I came to the US as an immigrant and
joined the US Armed Forces, one of the finest institutions in the world. I left the Army
with an Honorable discharge. I then went to RPI and graduated with a Master’s degree in Electric Power Engineering. I have worked in New York State for several years.
Currently I am a Senior Engineer for New York State Public Service where my
responsibility is to protect and support the New York State ratepayers.

I FEEL THAT I GOT MY CHANCE TO LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM. I feel so grateful for everything that America has given to me and thus feel that it is important for me to do more for people, especially those who don’t have that privilege. That’s one MAJOR
factor. Politically, I have been involved in politics for at least the last ten years. Currently I am the Chair of the Rensselaerville Democratic Committee, the Chair of the Ethics Committee for Albany County, a Member of the Executive Committee, a Member of the Law Committee in Albany County and lastly, I am on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club in the Capital District.

I am running for the New York State Assembly because we need leaders who
understand that governance - which truly reflects the voices, needs and concerns of
their constituents - starts with listening.

https://altamontenterprise.com/01182023/hebert-joseph-announces-campaign-39th-district-smith-diverges-dems

Janet Tweed Candidate statement
Janet Tweed is a dedicated physical therapist, wife, mom, and local elected official. Janet became more actively engaged in civic responsibilities in 2016, when she served as an election worker and election inspector. The outcome of the 2016 election inspired her to run for local office, and she was elected to the Delhi Town Board for the 2018-2021 term. In 2022, Janet was appointed to the Delhi Village Board, a position she continues to hold. Janet enjoys actively collaborating with public, private, and philanthropic agencies to enhance the quality of life for Delhi residents. She played a critical role in completing the long-planned Delhi Town Pool, she continues to organize Delhi's beloved Fair on the Square community events. Janet has established clean energy and climate-smart programs and initiatives in the village. She currently serves on municipal boards overseeing recreation, police, and shared services. Janet is hard-working, collaborative, and solutions oriented.

REPRESENT YOUR TOWN

Become a Schoharie County Democratic Committee Representative

S. Meredith, SCDC Gilboa Rep

Each town in Schoharie County has a right to, and deserves, representation on the county-wide Democratic Committee. Serving as a member of the SCDC is a way to give a voice to your community, and represent democratic values in the county political process.

Democratic candidates who run for local office, or for statewide positions, or even federal posts in the US Congress and Senate, require support from Democrats in Schoharie County. In order to be on the ballot here, signatures are collected on petitions. In order to turn out voters, people hold meet and greet gatherings, turn-out-the-vote events, and fundraising events to help support the candidates and get the word out. And when we have local elections, it is the SCDC reps who organize the Democratic Caucus in their town to nominate candidates.

SCDC efforts to turn out the vote and talk about issues were key in electing Antonio Delgado and Pat Ryan, who voted for our priorities in Congress. Now we may be returning to a competitive congressional district (CD 19) and have that chance again with Josh Riley. If we remain in Stefanik’s district it is also crucial that our voices continue to be heard.

Without Democrats working to raise the profile of democratic candidates and points of view in Schoharie County, there would be a one-party system here. That does not serve any of us well.

SCDC members are basically nominated through petitions signed by a number of Democrats in their town. These appointments must be renewed every 2 years. The SCDC has meetings every 2 months - 6 a year - one of which has been held virtually in January to avoid travel in the worst weather. Usually the meetings are 1.5 hours. It’s possible to attend virtually if for some reason you cannot get to a meeting. Excused absences are allowed with advanced notice, and you can give your proxy vote to another member who is attending, should it be necessary. There are sub-committees you can join to help with communications, fundraising, data and membership, and social organizing.

You will meet fellow Democrats from all over the county and strengthen your community connections as well as bolster your principles and resolve.

It is difficult to maintain and promote a minority view in Schoharie County. The more we support each other, initiate discussion and get information out there the more likely it is that our neighbors will turn from the MAGA doctrines towards upholding our constitutional republic. It matters that Democrats be involved in our local, county, state, and national government. It makes it better to live here, and for our children to live here.

Consider joining the SCDC and bring your perspectives, energy, expertise and enthusiasm. For details on the process of how to become a member, contact Theresa Heary, chair of the SCDC through info@schohariedemocrats.org

NEW WAY TO TARGET POLITICAL DONATIONS

S. Meredith, SCDC Gilboa Rep

https://app.oath.vote/

Oath, a new political fundraising platform, “empowers donors to give more strategically,” so that their donations have a higher impact in competitive races. Itseeks to put the brakes on continuous over-fundraising for high profile candidates.

In early February, Jessica Piper of Politico interviewed Brian Derrick, a co-founder of this new fundraising platform that enables its members to target their funds towards candidates whose views represent issues of interest and who are running in competitive, underfunded races. What does that mean?

Too often donors send money to already well funded candidates in large media markets, when other more competitive candidates, whose win might make more of a difference are struggling to get the funding they need. Donors often send money too late in a campaign to have the impact a struggling candidate might need to reach out to voters. Funds have to arrive early enough for a campaign to gain traction.

The Oath app uses algorithms and experts combined, to assess races and timing and to identify where donations will have the greatest impact. Oath can indicate when to send money to a competitive legislative race in Arizona, for instance, where the Democrat could tip the balance on an issue if the public knew the candidate’s views.

The app doesn’t donate to candidates until they have won their primaries.

Of course, you can give online directly to campaigns via www.ActBlue.com to Josh Riley in Dist. 19, Pat Ryan in Dist. 18.

To read the Politico interview: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/02/06/democrats-campaign-donation-app-00139666#:~:text=Oath%20is%20partisan%2C%20but%20not,can%20leave%20for%20the%20platform.

And from Time Magazine last November: https://time.com/6333967/oath-online-fundraising-politics/

HELP KEEP DEMOCRATS VIABLE IN OUR RED COUNTY - PLAN TO COME TO WRITE POSTCARDS, ATTEND THE FDR BANQUET AND GOTV EVENTS

Consider donating to SCDC through ActBlue here. Or send a check payable to SCDC TREASURER, Jean Burton, P.O. Box 46, Gallupville, NY 12073.

You can sign up for a variety of activities, just email info@schohariedemocrats.org

TOWN HAPPENINGS:

CHECK THIS LINK TO THE CALENDAR FOR YOUR TOWN & VILLAGE BOARD AND COUNCIL MEETINGS EVERY MONTH

March 2024 Newsletter

schoharie county democratic committee