Hey, it’s Rosa! I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss my dad’s message.
This hasn’t been an easy week and a half, John. Especially as a young woman, the election results are tough to process. It’s scary to think about what another four years of Trump means for the people I love.
In 2016, I remember going to the first Women’s March in DC with my family. I was a lot younger then, but I’ll never forget watching my Dad proudly marching alongside me and my Mom, and feeling a little better even through all the chaos.
I know things are a lot different this time around, and “resistance” won’t be enough. But I also know that New Yorkers are tough and scrappy. We can get through this – and maybe New York City can even be the beacon of hope our country needs right now.
And sure, I might be a little biased, but I also strongly believe that my dad is the leader our city needs and can help get us there.
Please read my dad’s message below, and consider making a donation of any amount to support his campaign.
Thank you!!!
Rosa B. Lander
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brad Lander
Date: Sun, Nov 10, 2024
Subject: New York City stands up
Dear John,
Even with a few days of perspective, last week’s election still feels like a punch in the gut. I know many of you are still reeling from it, and with good reason. Donald Trump’s presidency is going to be a catastrophe for our country.
If you’re like me, you’ve read many takes on why Trump won and so many Democrats lost. It’s important to reckon honestly with what happened, especially where it challenges our prior assumptions, and our hopes.
But for now, here in New York City, I’m clear on our two-part assignment:
One, we must fight fiercely to protect our city and the New Yorkers who will face the brunt of Trump’s cruel policies.
Two, we must govern New York City far more effectively to deliver on the things people showed they’re angry about — cost-of-living, affordability, safety, quality-of-life.
It’s only by doing both of those things that we can keep New York City a beacon of hope for our shared values – and prove that we can actually make them work.
Unfortunately, we can’t trust Eric Adams to do either of them.
That’s why I’m running for Mayor – and why I feel more clear and urgent about it in the wake of Trump’s election.
Will you take on that assignment with me? Please contribute to our campaign today to help me win, and show that New York stands up for what matters.
We’ll be called on to stand up to threats – to our city’s budget, schools, health care, climate and transit infrastructure. And we'll be called on to stand up for people whose rights and freedom come under attack – immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers. That’s why I joined thousands of New Yorkers marching down Sixth Avenue yesterday.
We need a Mayor who will stand up for New Yorkers – and sadly we can’t trust the current one.
But it can’t just be about resistance this time. We have to listen better to voters’ frustrations – and then do something real about it.
The grim reality is that people have lost confidence in democracy to solve problems. And in our cities – including right here in New York City – they’ve lost confidence in Democratic governance to deliver on the basics:
To keep our families safe. To make sure our kids learn. To deliver a more affordable, more livable city. To provide affordable child care. To clean our streets. To make sure the public libraries are open, and the illegal weed shops are closed. To fix our subway and get this city moving again. The basic things New Yorkers need their government to do.
Those are the words I launched my campaign with this summer. After last Tuesday, they ring truer than ever.
When we fail to do those things, people suffer, they feel anxious, they get angry – and then they’re more open when a demagogue gives them someone to blame.
But that’s not the New York City we love. And it’s not the city that hardworking New Yorkers deserve. By running the city better, we can show it’s possible to live up to our values. That the most diverse, dense, inclusive, welcoming city can also be the safest, most prosperous, most thriving one. The best one.
I’ve been preparing for this assignment for my whole career. I’m running for Mayor to bring trustworthy, effective leadership to City Hall. To deliver a safer, more affordable, more livable, and better run city. And to show that we can stand up for and deliver on New York City’s values – even when times get tough.
But I can’t do it without your help. We’re in this together. That’s why I promise to make my campaign a shared opportunity to rise to this dark and scary moment. We’ll be convening town halls, joining rallies and events in neighborhoods across the city – getting ready to protect our neighbors, and also getting ready to deliver what New Yorkers need.
Will you join me? Please contribute to join our Mayoral campaign today.
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Look, I’m not trying to sugar-coat things. We are in for grim times. Many people are going to suffer the cruelty of the Trump regime. There are good reasons to be nervous about our democracy and its institutions.
But dark times are when New Yorkers show their best stuff. And that’s what we’re called to do now. So let’s get started.
Brad