National Organization for Women Chapter Chapter Meeting September 6th, 2018

Upcoming Primaries: September 13th is the primary date for statewide and NYS legislative elections. NOW-NYS has asked us to review candidates for assembly and senate districts in Brooklyn and Queens.

As membership chair and Legislative and Political activist, Sherry looked up the voting districts for all BQNOW members and attendees at the Meet and Greet (held at the Brooklyn Heights Library on August 4th). Once voting districts were identified, key Assembly and Senate districts were also identified. Emails were sent to all BQNOW members who have email addresses telling them about the races and informing them that the chapter has District IDs for each of them if they needed that info.

For candidate and key district information, we used information gathered by those present who attended candidate forums and interviews, NOW-NYS and online websites both candidate- sponsored and articles compiled by Ballotopedia.

We discussed the following NYS candidates

Governor: Cuomo and Nixon

Lieutenant Governor: vs Jumaane Williams

Attorney General: Letitia James, Zephyr Teachout, Leecia Eve, Sean Maloney NOTE: For purposes of the primary, it is possible to vote separately for Lt. Governor. So, if you so desire, you can choose someone who is not the “running mate” of the Governor candidate you prefer.

NYS Comptroller: As candidates are unopposed, their names will not appear on the primary ballot. Democrat – Thomas DiNapoli is the incumbent.

State Senate Tony Avella vs (SD 11) vs (SD 13), vs Blake Morris (SD17), Martin M Dilan vs (SD 18) vs (SD 20) (SD 22) vs Golden in November vs Jasmine Robinson(SD23)

State Assembly: NOTE: Most Democratic Primary Assembly races are unopposed. AD 30: Brian Barnwell vs Melissa Sklarz AD 39: Ari Espinal vs Catalina Cruz

Consequences of elections: NYS law puts abortion legislation under the NYS Penal Code rather than under the Health Code. If our legislature allows this to stand and the US Supreme Court continues to undermine Roe Vs Wade, women having abortions and those who provide such services may be guilty of criminal acts. If the IDC candidates prevail in the primaries and take seats in the state legislature, they are most likely to vote with those who will attempt to undermine hard won rights and turn back the progress made not only on abortion, but on LGBTQ rights, disability rights, education services, etc. They are likely to serve the business communities over those most in need of protection.

Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The confirmation hearings currently televised point out the urgency of both thwarting the current nominee and of overturning the current majorities in both the US House and the US Senate. Kavanaugh has indicated in his writings that Roe can be overturned. If at least one Congressional body is controlled by the current Democratic Minority after November 6th, change may be possible in Congress.

The next meeting will be October 10, with location to be announced. Meeting adjourned: 8:30 PM