Scarsdale Democrats Rally in Support of Cait Conley for CD-17

Alissa Baum and Myra Saul, Co-Chairs of the Scarsdale DemocratsOne of the hottest Congressional races to watch is happening just west of Scarsdale, where Democrats are determined to win back Congressional District 17, now represented by Republican Mike Lawler. Though Scarsdale residents cannot vote in that race, many local Democrats have focused their energy on supporting Democratic candidate Cait Conley who won the Democratic primary.

Conley is ready for the fight. She is a decorated combat veteran and national security expert who attended West Point and served 16 years as an active duty Army officer, deployed six times to keep Americans safe and later led counterterrorism efforts on the White House National Security Council and at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

On Thursday July 23, Scarsdale Democrats gathered for the Scarsdale Democrats annual fundraiser hosted by State Assemblymemer Amy Paulin – but held at the home of a supporter in Sherbrooke Park. Paulin urged the group to “help the Scarsdale Democrats to help the greater community.”

Congressman George Latimer, who represents Congressional District 16, came directly to the meeting from Amtrak. He said, “Being in Congress is not a nice place now. Usually you say “send in the Marines”- now why don’t we say, “Send in the Army.” He urged the crowd to turn the tables by “Giving us Cait Conley and a few more Democrats.”

Alissa Baum, Co-Chair of the Scarsdale Democrats commented on the dire state of our democracy, saying, “It is safe to say that things have not gotten better since our last summer fundraiser. The Trump presidency is in free fall –from a disastrous war of choice, an economy that does not work for too many Americans, cuts to Michelle Lichtenberg, Amy Paulin and Susan RossMedicaid and SNAP benefits, corruption, incompetence and tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy. All that and his attacks on immigrants, science, the arts and the rule of law have made him so destructive to our democracy. Throughout it all, the Republican Congress has shrunk from its responsibilities of oversight and has been his unquestioning partner. And, in the wake of so many failures and seeing his approval rating plummet, Trump’s latest strategy is to sow doubt in the sanctity of our elections and threaten federal interference in them. “

Baum continued, “We cannot be distracted or intimidated. Tonight, we turn to the midterm elections because this is our opportunity to start a new dialogue between the executive and the legislative branches of government. That dialogue that can only start with a Democratic Congress.”
She introduced Conley, saying “And this is where our featured speaker, CD-17 Candidate Cait Conley, comes in. She is in THE key race to help Democrats get the House back by defeating Republican Congressman Mike Lawler.

Conley is a compelling speaker, who clearly honed her skills in the military. She gave a rallying cry for support, saying this election is about “The values that define us as a nation… we are talking about the future of American democracy and the future of America itself.”

“We are fighting against greed corruption, racist and cruel ideology. In Rockland, Haitians who are here legally and pay taxes … who work in our hospitals and as caregivers are having their TPS status revoked.”

Cait Conley“I did six tours of duty and I am here to fight for an America where people live in hope, not fear… where the rule of law applies to the President.”

“Mike Lawler votes Donald Trump’s way. The war is costing us American service members and we are paying the price at the pump.”

About Lawler she said, “While he got paid, we got screwed.”

“America’s best day as a nation are still ahead of us but we have to do the work.”

“When I was in an airborne unit where we jumped out of an airplane, the most senior paratrooper was the first one out the door – because courage is contagious. When it comes to sacrifice, risk and even harm, that is courage. Ordinary people have met the moment and prevailed. Because America was worth fighting for. This country is up to us. When we choose courage, we prevail.

We’ve got one heck of a fight on our hands. It’s a fight I can win – but I cannot win on my own. Please choose courage.”

Co-chair Myra Saul said, “things have not gotten better. We have an economy that does not work for many Americans. There are attacks on immigrants and the rule of law. Trump’s latest strategy is to threaten the elections. We cannot be distracted or intimidated This is our opportunity to start a new dialogue. We need to be united in our work to get our country.

Let’s turn back to the election. “Wanting” a return to democracy and the rule of law isn’t sufficient. Nor is ‘wishing’. Democratic Ben Boykin with George and Robin Latimercandidates need your money —yes—but they also need your energy. Volunteer for a candidate. Get involved. Do something. This is the way to bring about change and get our country back!!! Our email is scarsdaledems@gmail.com.

Joy Brownstein, Ira Schuman and Dave Chalfin
Also in attendance were Democrats from throughout the county including, “State Senator Shelley Mayer, County Legislator Jenn Puja, County Legislator Judah Holstein, White Plains Mayor Justin Brasch, Former County Legislator Ben Boykin, Former Scarsdale Mayor Jon Mark, Scarsdale Village Trustee Tim Foley, and former Scarsdale Village Trustee Seth Ross.