Hi John,

Great news! We surpassed our October fundraising goal. If you've given since I launched my campaign for Congress in NY-01, thank you. I know I say it a lot, but as we head into the season of gratitude, I am truly grateful you're part of this with me.

Earlier today, my team and I spent some time reviewing the results of our 2024 Priorities Survey.

We heard from hundreds of people, and while the survey wasn't exactly scientific, it was an excellent opportunity for me to get your thoughts. If you're interested, I would like to share the results with you. 

The top issues on people's minds are the environment, the economy, and abortion access -- it’s affirming to know that our campaign priorities reflect what many of you care about.

In our survey, we gave people the chance to tell us about their views on education on Long Island and across the country. Many wrote of their deep concerns about banning books and how they believe children should be supported in their growth.

One retired administrator for special education wrote, "I am particularly concerned about services for children with disabilities. I know that this overlaps with healthcare, but I would like to see increased focus on mental health issues and services for our students. Something that concerns me greatly is the far-right agenda that wants to rewrite history and take away support and services available for some students, particularly LGBTQ students. I believe that the far-right agenda has given license to more bullying against students most in need."

Another person wrote, "My hope is that all children will be given the opportunity to be creative and inventive."

While I am no longer a parent of school-age children, I often hear from families in our community who want their children to find school a welcoming and inclusive environment. This is one of the many reasons I co-founded the Long Island Strong Schools Alliance -- to ensure that our public schools have the resources to help children feel valued, included, and supported.

When we asked about the issue of climate change on Long Island, many wrote back about the impacts of the severe weather we're experiencing more and more often, especially flooding of low-lying areas, which makes it more difficult to get around and has led to lost homes and ruined belongings.

Someone else wrote, "In a heating world, quality water will become an increasing rarity, especially in economically hampered communities. On Long Island, nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems will worsen. The solutions proposed to date have been too little, short-sighted, and demand too much from the individual."

Waiting for the effects of climate change to escalate further is not an option; we need leadership to navigate the complex terrain of environmental policy, engage with scientific experts, and collaborate with local communities and nations worldwide to implement practical and effective solutions. 

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share your thoughts. As a representative for this community, I will continue to listen and prioritize the concerns of each constituent. 

Please continue to send your questions and ideas, because this race is about all of us -- and I need you with me all the way.

If you haven't taken the survey yet, the link is still live. You can participate here: https://s.surveyplanet.com/jg1fnmac

Again, thank you for your time and your support.

More soon,
Nancy