Since March, my campaign has been functioning entirely online to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, and community here on Long Island. As you can imagine, that makes building meaningful connections with voters challenging.
Our chances for conversation have been limited, but one way we've been keeping in touch and hearing from voters is by sending surveys with essay style questions.
If you have taken one of our surveys recently, thank you. I am so thankful that we have a tool that allows me to hear directly from you. In our last survey, we covered the partisan divide, misinformation, fearmongering, accountability, and issues that matter most to us individually.
Additionally, I wanted to share some of the responses people shared with us regarding their worries, concerns, and top priorities. You can read a few of those below:
"Where to begin? COVID, kids in cages, BLM, gender pay gap, the economy, SALT, our standing on the world stage. Take your pick."
"It is difficult to know where to start. Here is an alphabetical list: abortion rights; arms control; black lives matter; climate change; COVID-19; distribution of wealth; equity in education and everywhere; fascism; government failure; hate crimes; income inequality; judicial appointments; know-nothings; lawless officials, middle east chaos; "never vaccinate" people; open-pit mines; persecution of immigrants; quacks; Russian interference; systemic segregation; terrorism from within; untruths; vaccines; world peace; xenophobia; young people's future; Zuckerberg. And this off the top of my head, and is not at all exhaustive."
"Right now, I'm exasperated at the number of people out there who refuse to wear masks both indoors and in enclosed places both outdoors and indoors when social distancing is all but impossible."
"I am a recent college graduate. I went to SUNY Binghamton and have tens of thousands of dollars due in loans from the cost of room & board alone. With the coronavirus limiting the job market, I am incredibly worried about the future of my economic stability."
"[We need to] Help those who are out of work due to the pandemic. Our family is fortunate enough to work from home without loss of income. Others are not so lucky. Let’s get the economy back in whatever safe way we can. Expand unemployment, provide health coverage for those in need. Then we can tackle other issues."
As we look ahead, I want you to know that I hear your concerns -- and I am grateful that so many of you used this space to be open and honest with me. Your continued input will help me become a better leader for our district while keeping me informed about the problems and issues most pressing to you personally.
Best,
Nancy
