Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Town of Pelham Democratic Committee. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.

Are you worried about crime in New York?

We are, too. That’s why we’re voting for Kathy Hochul for Governor. Under Hochul, New York is ranked as one of our country’s safest states, with the third-highest ratio of law-enforcement officers to residents. No wonder the NYC Police Benevolent Association just donated $25,000 to support her campaign, and nothing to her opponent. Hochul initiated and passed a comprehensive anti-crime plan this year, toughening bail laws to keep repeat offenders locked up.

Worried about gun safety?

So are we.  Hochul is our choice for governor thanks to her work prohibiting the sale of automatic weapons to children under age 21, increasing background checks on purchases, and requiring training for concealed-carry permits. Her opponent, who has an A-rating from the NRA, opposes even NY’s “Red Flag” law, which prevents people who are a threat to themselves or others from purchasing/possessing firearms. And while other New York Republicans supported this year’s “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act,” Zeldin voted against it. Rather than obstinate partisanship, Hochul’s focus is on collaborative, practical solutions.

The economy?

Hochul’s policies are supported by the vast majority of New Yorkers. She is accelerating $1.2 billion in middle-class tax cuts for six million taxpayers, providing $100 million in relief for nearly 200,000 small businesses, delivering $1 billion in property tax rebates for more than 2 million New York families, and making child-care more affordable and accessible. Her opponent, meanwhile, opposed last year’s “Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill” and the “Inflation Reduction Act,” again splitting with his own NY Republican colleagues to support a far-right agenda.

On reproductive rights, the climate, housing and more, the differences in our gubernatorial candidates are profound. Kathy Hochul is in line with NY voters, championing a woman’s control over her body. Under her leadership New York has the nation’s most aggressive plan to protect the earth, all while creating good-paying clean-energy jobs. She’s investing in housing and education, defending people against online threats, fighting the opioid crisis, and doing it all with a track record of bipartisan support.

Her opponent is running on “change,” as challengers to incumbents often do. But the changes he threatens are grossly out of step with New Yorkers. In store would be more fracking (he has one of the worst environmental records in the house), more dangerous guns carried by more dangerous residents, and tax cuts for billionaires paid for with cuts to Medicaid. Zeldin jubilantly called the recent Roe v. Wade reversal a “victory” and threatens to impose radical reproductive bans in our state. He also wants the Affordable Care Act overturned, signaling a return to the days when people could be denied insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions. These aren’t “campaign spin”; they are the promises of an extremist who voted against certifying the 2020 election, and who continues to spread lies about the validity of the 2020 election. He actively participated in attempts to steal the last presidential election, and now this Trump-endorsed candidate wants moderate New Yorkers to see him as one of them.

We cannot afford such complacency. We must make clear at the polls that Pelham opposes conservative extremism, at home as well as at the state and federal levels. The parties are NOT the same. Please exercise your right and vote for the Democratic ticket on Row A! And then turn over your ballot and vote YES on prop 1 for clean water, clean air, and green jobs! 

Town of Pelham Democratic Committee