Scarsdale Democrats Encourage Locals to Get Involved

George Latimer and Amy Paulin at a fundraiser for the Scarsdale Democrats on August 8, 2024.Buoyed by a surge in the polls for the Democratic presidential ticket, the Scarsdale Democrats held their final summer fundraiser at the Scarsdale home of State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin on a rainy Thursday August 8, 2024. Though it won’t be the last summer event for the group, it will be the last one at Paulin’s home, as she has announced plans to move to New Rochelle later this year.

Congesswoman Grace MengAbout 50 party members assembled to hear remarks from Assemblywoman Paulin, Congresswoman Grace Meng from Queens and County Executive George Latimer, who is the Democratic candidate for Congress in NY CD16, which includes Scarsdale. They all spoke about the challenges facing Democrats in this election. The big takeaway of the night is that election victories don't just happen; it takes organizing and volunteer participation and Myra Saul, Chair of the of Scarsdale Democrats encouraged everyone to swing into action. She also announced that Alissa Baum, former president of the Scarsdale League of Women Voters, will join her as co-chair for the 2024-2026 term.

Saul told the group that she had just returned from two weeks abroad where, “the good vibrations emanating from the Harris campaign, including the various successful zooms, the Georgia rally, the selection of Tim Walz as Kamala’s running mate and the Tuesday joint event have changed the dynamics of this year’s election for Democrats up and down the ballot.”

Saul recognized Henry Neale, who stepped down as a District Leader that night. She said, “Henry grew up in Scarsdale and attended Scarsdale public schools. He became a District Leader in 1976, the year he and his wonderful wife Sue, who left us too early and also was a District Leader, bought a home here. Henry’s tenure probably sets a record for longevity as a Scarsdale District Leader—48 years. He also was chair of our committee for several years in the early 90’s. As a District leader, Henry has been invaluable to the Committee in providing us with his keen political insights. It was Henry who convinced me that I should run to become chair and I will always be grateful to him for his confidence in me.”

She introduced Amy Paulin, George Latimer, Shelley Mayer, Susan Cacace, Democratic Candidate for District Attorney, Ken Jenkins, Deputy County Executive, and County Legislators Ben Boykin, who represents Scarsdale, Terry Clements and Judah Holstein from New Rochelle. She noted the presence of former Mayor Jon Mark and former village Trustees Kay Eisenman and Seth Ross.
Ken Jenkins, Grace Meng, Amy Paulin and Shelley Mayer

Also at the event were Justin Brasch from the White Plains Common Council and judicial aspirants Brent Broge, Diane Clerkin, John Collins, Collen Duffy, Jane Lippmann, Kyle McGovern Rachel Tanguay, Maryanne Scattaretico-Naber and Josephine Triovini for Supreme Court and Natasha Ginsburg, Sheralyn Goodman and Kimberly Ragazzo for County Court.

Introducing Congresswoman Grace Meng, Saul said, “Grace Meng was elected in 2012 to NY’s 6th congressional district situated in Queens, which is the most diverse county in New York State. As a child of immigrants, she has never forgotten where she came from or who she fights for. She is the first and only Asian American elected member of Congress from New York. Prior to her election to Congress, she served in the New York Assembly. From 2017 to 2020, she served as a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, where she supported Democratic wins and worked to improve outreach to groups too often ignored by both parties. As New York’s senior member and Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, she fights for federal programs that improve the lives of working and middle class families.

As we all know, the path to flip the House runs through New York State. We have several important races here which are a must win for Democrats, including CD-17 to our immediate north where our speaker at last year’s fundraiser, Mondaire Jones, is in a battle to unseat MAGA Mike Lawler.

Scarsdale Democratic Leaders

With respect to the House races in our area specifically, Congresswoman Meng is a DCCC Regional Vice Chair. She played a key role in Tom Suozzi’s race to regain his Congressional seat that includes parts of Queens and Long Island. Congresswoman Meng’s charge was to help Suozzi energize the Asian American Pacific Islander community, which comprises 20% of the electorate in the District, in a culturally competent and authentic manner. Obviously, both she and he were successful!

So much is at stake in the upcoming election. This crowd knows those perils, but that is not enough. We need to stop the MAGAs at the voting booth. Here is Congresswoman Grace Meng to give us her impressions of the battle to take the House and our role in this endeavor.

Closing the event, Saul asked the audience to get involved. She said, “The Scarsdale Committee hopes that you will become active in our committee and attend our meetings. The highlight of these meetings is surely the opportunity to meet with and discuss issues with our local electeds.

Besides talking to friends and encouraging them to vote for Democrats, figure out your own game plan for 2024. What floats your boat—do you like to phone bank, write texts, write postcards, go out canvassing? If you want some advice, Scarsdale Democrats can help. The message is do something! You will be glad you did. With our collective energy and renewed focus with our excellent nominees at the top of our ticket, we will go out there and win. Let’s do it!”

Reach out to the Scarsdale Democrats scarsdaledems@gmail.com or visit their website here. scarsdaledemocrats.org.