Friends, I find myself thinking about my Omi and Opa often these days. I miss them -- a lot -- but there’s a part of me that's relieved they’re not here to see the inhumanity of our government. My grandparents witnessed more than enough horror in their lifetimes. They were holocaust refugees. When Nazi Germany occupied Austria, they fled. While millions were killed, they escaped. They escaped because England, and then the United States, heard their cry and said, “Come in. Start a new life. We’re not perfect. But we welcome you.”

I think about how horrified they would be to see a presidential administration that turns its back on people like them, putting in place a rule to bar Central American asylum seekers. I think about how appalled they would be by Congressman John Katko’s refusal to stand up and speak out.

I’m here because my Omi and Opa got asylum. How many future candidates for the United States Congress will never make it here because of the President’s inhumanity and John Katko’s silence?

If we work together, in 14 months when we beat Donald Trump and John Katko, we will hear the refugee’s cry, and we will say, “Come in. Start a new life. We’re not perfect. But we welcome you.”

- Dana

Our Badass Women in Politics event was the most inspiring night I’ve had campaigning all year. I hosted a party for six powerful, passionate women running for county legislature in Onondaga County, and I walked away feeling as energized as ever to elect progressive women up and down the ballot. And thanks to the generosity of folks like you, we raised well over $3,000 for their campaigns. These women are ready to take our government back, and the packed room of supporters promised to fight their hardest to push them over the finish line. Ladies, we’re in this together -- and we’re going to win.

The OG's Against Gun Violence walk with Clifford Ryan was a powerful call for an end to the violence. On the Syracuse northside peace walk, we raised our voices together to call for a loving, calm, safe community, free of fear and danger.

You have my word: I will always use my voice and platform in defense of our neighbors. That's what I believe representation should look like.

Marching in the Labor Day Parade at the New York State Fair is always a powerful experience. This year, I marched with SEIU 1199, and we chanted "fighting for our rights, fighting for our future," celebrating the pivotal role the labor movement has played in defending the dignity of workers everywhere.

We stand on the shoulders of generations of labor leaders who got in the trenches to fight for working families. We follow their lead, and the lessons they learned, as we keep up the fight for well-paying, safe jobs. Until the day that every worker in this country has the dignity and respect they deserve, in the trenches we'll stay. 

Labor Day reminds us about the world we envision -- of solidarity, empathy, strength, and community. To my siblings in labor: I'm still with you today and always.

We had an overwhelmingly positive reception at the doors with Gail Tosh for Lysander Town Board and Justin Neal for NY. Gail, Justin, and Kevin Rode for Town Supervisor are fighting to make Baldwinsville a destination where people want to visit and move -- and the people we talked to are ready for this new direction. They have a clear vision for the future of Lysander, and I'm proud to support them 100%!

Nodesia Hernandez for County Legislator, Ronald Verwij for Clay Town Supervisor, and LaToya Jones for Clay Town Board are three inspiring, capable candidates. They demonstrated that last week at a great house party in Clay, and I was happy to join to support them.

Over the next 49 days, we'll be fighting alongside them to push them over the finish line. The people of Clay deserve their representation.

I had a blast at Tully Community Day! I marched with the Tully Democrats to celebrate this wonderful community and our inspiring Democratic candidates and elected officials like Melissa Flint-Morgan for Town Supervisor, Jennifer Blusk for County Legislature, Tony Malavenda for County Executive, Mark Kolinski for County Clerk, and Assemblyman Al Stirpe!