New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: New York State Senator Pete Harckham 40th District Democrat: Our Friends in Labor Know Who I’m Fighting For.

I am proud to announce that more labor endorsements for my re-election to the State Senate have rolled in!

 

This week, LiUNA-NY, a collaboration of the New York State Laborers and the Mason Tenders District Council, endorsed my campaign.

 

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) endorsed me as well.

 

This follows a strong show of support received earlier from both the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and the Westchester/Putnam Building and Construction Trades Council.

 

Our friends in labor know who I’m fighting for.

 

And what I’m fighting for, too: livable, middle-class wages, job creation for everyone and safety standards.

 

They know that keeping New York affordable has been my top priority, which is why I helped cut middle-class taxes five times and increased state aid to schools in the 40th Senate District by $210 million to keep property taxes down.

 

I’ve also cut small business taxes, doubled the senior property tax exemption to $50K and delivered over $25 million in grant funding to municipalities, first responders and nonprofits.

 

I’m ready to continue fighting for our middle-class families—but I need your help. 

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

New York State Senator Democrat Peter Harckham 40th District

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 30, 2024

 

Statement on New York Democrats’ Whitewashing of Senator Mannion Harassment Complaints.

“Here we go again. New York Democrats, it appears, are back to their old habit of whitewashing harassment cases and gaslighting the victims. This time it involves state senator and congressional candidate John Mannion who serially harassed members of his staff, according to complaints. Rather than acknowledging the issue, Democrats hired a third party company which quietly dismissed the allegations.

“We’ve been here too many times before. Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed women, and countless members of his party knew it and did nothing. Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver practically systematized sexual harassment and assault claims levied against powerful Democrats, using millions of dollars of taxpayer money to legally silence victims. This has all come from the party that proclaims it supports women.

“This Democrat ‘investigation’ is clearly a sham, and voters of New York’s 22nd Congressional District deserve to know if the Democrat candidate is a creep.”

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: New York State Senator Pete Harckham 40th District - Democrat: My Opponent Went Full MAGA on the ERA!

 

Well, she finally did it.

 

My opponent Gina Arena went full MAGA in the New York Post, of course, and declared her opposition to the New York State Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

 

She stated, in her words, that the ERA will allow men to participate in girls’ sports.

 

This bizarre interpretation of the ERA echoes the fear-mongering that extremists across the country have been spewing to divide us.

 

Unfortunately, this rhetoric only serves to further marginalize some of the most fragile kids in our country, trans youth.

 

Most New Yorkers should know ERA will enshrine women’s rights and access to reproductive health care, including abortion, into the state constitution. ERA also will provide equal protection under the law for everyone.

 

Isn’t this a human value we can all get behind and agree on?

 

Apparently not—and that’s what makes this election so critical.

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

New York State Senator 40th District Pete Harckham Democrat.

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2024

Why is Meta Blocking Reagan Film Advertising?

Statement by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar.

“Meta or Facebook or whatever it calls itself now is thoroughly embarrassing itself before a national audience. By banning advertisements about the coming biopic “Reagan” it is demonstrating just how ridiculous its political censorship has become. The Conservative Party knows something about this. We were blocked by a social media company four years ago simply for being called The Conservative Party. Ronald Reagan was our nation’s 40th president. His iron stance against the Soviet Union freed billions  He was beloved. Meta is showing why it’s not. It needs to get its act together.”

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: Election Event News.

 

The stakes of this election are high—and we just got a huge shipment of them! Join us on Wed., 8/28 from 6-8pm in Peekskill to assemble lawn signs. When you’re done, you can take one home to show your support for the Democratic ticket! 

RSVP on Mobilize: https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/673772/

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: New York State Senator Pete Harckham 40th District: We’re Fighting for Our Environment—Together.

 

As chair of the New York State Senate’s Environmental Conservation Committee, I truly appreciate the tireless efforts by concerned residents, advocates and environmentalists in our critical fight against climate change and pollution.

 

Together we have scored some big wins, including my landmark Save the Hudson law stopping the radiological waste being dumped into our treasured river and my law protecting over one million acres of NY’s fragile wetlands, as well as my law requiring that all vehicles sold in New York be zero emissions starting in 2035.

 

Very powerful special interests are pushing back on our progress, and I’m being attacked by the opposition. They would love to see me lose my reelection this November. 

 

Here’s your chance to say no to the polluters! 

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

New York State Senator - 40th District - Pete Harckham.

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2024

 

Statement on Democratic National Convention by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar.

“After two days of the Democratic National Convention, one thing is abundantly clear: the Democrats have an uncanny ability to identify the problems that they, themselves, have created. They actually know how badly they’ve messed things up under the Biden-Harris Administration, yet, with a straight face, they offer America more government ‘solutions.’ We don’t want them. 

“Crisis after crisis has been caused by asinine Harris-Biden policies. Prices continue to go up — never down — under Biden-Harris; law enforcement departments are reeling from anti-cop statutes and sentiments, and cities are being overrun by illegal migrants. None of these would have happened under a Trump Administration. 

“There’s an old expression — ‘watch the hands, not the mouth’ — that easily applies to today’s Democratic Party. It's not what they say, it's what they do. Remember that.” 

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: SD-40: Arena: Harckham Must Make Position Clear on Congestion Pricing Tax Return.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ARENA: HARCKHAM MUST MAKE CLEAR HIS POSITION ON RETURN OF CONTROVERSIAL CONGESTION PRICING TAX.

 

 

Hudson Valley-Aug. 19…News reports that Governor Kathy Hochul is considering reinstating the controversial Congestion Pricing Tax after the 2024 elections demand that candidates for public office take a clear and firm stand on the issue, State Senate candidate Gina Arena (SD-40) today charged.

 

“I am opposed to the Congestion Pricing Tax. I have always been opposed to the Congestion Pricing Tax. And I will always oppose the implementation of a Congestion Pricing Tax,” Ms. Arena, a mother of eight and a longtime community advocate, said. “Pete Harckham voted for the Congestion Pricing Tax, he has supported the Congestion Pricing Tax, and voters deserve to know now — not after the election — where Mr. Harckham stands on bringing the controversial Congestion Pricing Tax back.”

 

Ms. Arena said she opposes Mr. Harckham’s Congestion Pricing Tax on multiple grounds — it is regressive; New Yorkers can’t afford it; it will raise the price of goods regionally; it will send harmful particulate matter into the air of low-income communities with some of the highest youth asthma rates in the country; it will increase traffic in adjoining communities, and ongoing traffic issues are principally caused by for-hire vehicles, like Uber and Lyft, and new street configurations, not commuters.

 

“I cannot be more clear in my position on Congestion Pricing. It’s up to Mr. Harckham to follow suit.”

 

The planned $15 tax on vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street was shelved by Governor Hochul earlier this year.

 

New York State Insider: NYS Conservative Party Nominates Trump for President.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2024.

 

NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY FORMALLY NOMINATES DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT, J.D. VANCE FOR VICE PRESIDENT.

 

Jericho, NY - The New York State Conservative Party today announced that it unanimously nominated former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance for President and Vice President, respectively, at the 2024 New York State Conservative Party National Nominating Convention in Jericho, NY.

 

President Trump was nominated by Erie County Conservative Party Chairman Ralph Lorigo and seconded by Suffolk County Conservative Chairman Mike Torres and longtime Conservative Party Secretary Howard Lim.

 

Senator Vance was nominated by Monroe County Conservative Chairman Don Mazzullo and seconded by Richmond County Conservative Chairman David Curcio and Bronx Conservative Chairman Pat McManus. Orange County Conservative Chairwoman Grace White nominated 28 presidential electors at the convention who were seconded by Kings County Conservative Party Chairwoman Fran Vella-Marrone. Nassau County Conservative Chairman Dan Donovan nominated the Committee to Fill Vacancies.

 

Ohio Senator Jim Jordan accepted the nomination on behalf of President Trump and Senator Vance.

 

“The New York State Conservative Party — the only other right-of-center party in America — is thrilled that President Trump and Senator Vance are running on our ballot line in this historic election,” State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar said. “The far left policies of the Biden-Harris Administration have made America more expensive, less safe, and hopelessly divided over the past four years, and we look forward to a refreshing blast of common sense when they take office in January. Vice President Harris’s radical record is completely out of step with the values and beliefs of everyday Americans.”

 

Nearly three dozen New York law enforcement organizations endorsed the Trump-Vance ticket at Saturday’s convention. The New York State Conservative Party garnered nearly 300,000 votes for President Trump statewide in 2020.

 

Several members of Congress and New York county executives were among the almost  200 attendees, and both U.S. Senate candidate Mike Sapraicone and Long Island Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-4) addressed the Convention crowd. Deputy Sheriff and Deacon Alex Rubino led the invocation; Nassau County Conservative Executive Vice Chairman Chris Mistron led the Pledge of Allegiance; Nicolette Kosowski sang the National Anthem, and James Curran served as Parliamentarian.

 

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine spoke at the reception following the Convention, as did Congresswoman Niciole Malliotakis (NY-11) and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-2).

 

“We have never seen the Republican and Conservative parties more closely aligned than they are this year in support of the Trump-Vance ticket,” Chairman Kassar continued. “This is a critical election for the future of our nation and we are confident that American voters will reject the rank ‘wokeism’ of the past four years that has spread nothing but chaos and discord across the country. Vice President Harris’s radicalism would drive this nation into the ground, economically, militarily, spiritually, and public-safety wise. It’s time for rational policies again, and President Trump and Vice President Vance will deliver them.”

 

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: New York State Senator Pete Harckham 40th District: Cheap Attacks Versus Real Results for New Yorkers.

 

You may have heard the cheap political attack my opponent lobbed at me this week.

 

It was pathetic—and telling.

 

As Donald Trump continues to sink in the polls here in New York, my opponent has nothing to talk about and nothing to run on except attacks.

 

She cannot point to her work protecting women’s reproductive healthcare—but I can.

 

She does not support common-sense guns safety laws—but I have helped pass them in the State Senate.

 

She did not cut middle-class taxes five times, or cut small business taxes, or double the senior property tax exemption—but I did.

 

And my opponent did nothing to fully fund public education in New York—but I did. To date, I’ve increased funding for schools in my district by over $210 million—lifting students up while holding property taxes down.

 

We know more attacks wait ahead—which is why we are working hard to maintain our strong momentum.

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

New York State Senator - 40th District - Democrat - Pete Harckham.

New York State Insider: For Immediate Release: FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Dozens of New York Law Enforcement Unions to Endorse Donald Trump For President at New York State Conservative Party 2024 Presidential Nominating Convention on Saturday.

DOZENS OF NEW YORK LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIONS WILL ENDORSE DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT AT THE NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY 2024 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING CONVENTION ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 AT THE COTTAGE AT THE MILLERIDGE INN AT 585 NORTH BROADWAY, JERICHO, NY. 

OHIO CONGRESSMAN JIM JORDAN WILL ACCEPT THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY’S FORMAL NOMINATION ON BEHALF OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND COUNTY EXECUTIVES WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE. 

THE CONVENTION WILL RUN FROM 2PM - 4PM, FOLLOWED BY A RECEPTION FROM 4:30 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M. 

New York State Insider: FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2024

 

Trump to Formally Accept New York State Conservative Party Ballot Line at Saturday Convention.

OHIO CONGRESSMAN JIM JORDAN WILL ACCEPT ON BEHALF OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THE NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT AT THE PARTY’S 2024 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING CONVENTION ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 AT THE COTTAGE AT THE MILLERIDGE INN AT 585 NORTH BROADWAY, JERICHO, NY. 

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND COUNTY EXECUTIVES WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE, AS WILL MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATIONS WHO WILL BE ANNOUNCING THEIR ENDORSEMENTS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.  

THE CONVENTION WILL RUN FROM 2PM - 4PM, FOLLOWED BY A RECEPTION FROM 4:30 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M. 

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: TONIGHT! Join Team Harckham for a Special Phonebank with Pete at 6pm & Other Volunteer Opportunities!

With less than 90 days until Election Day, we need all hands on deck to turn out voters and deliver a Democratic victory this November!

 

Please join Team Harckham TONIGHT, Thurs., Aug. 15 at 6:00 p.m. for a special Phone Bank with Pete! We’ll be speaking with voters all throughout the district about candidates up and down the ballot. 

To join us for tonight’s phone bank please RSVP via Mobilize: https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/664785/ 

 

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: New York State Senator Pete Harckham 40th District: Sept. 21st: Join Dr. & Mrs. Richard Becker and The Cortlandt Democratic Committee in support of Sen. Harckham!

 

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ph_september21

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: New York State Senator Pete Harckham 40th District: 81 Days Until Early Voting.

 

In campaigns, it’s all about the calendar. When you’re getting down to the wire, each new month arrives with a sense of urgency.

 

81 days until early voting.

 

That’s what the calendar says today.

 

So, we’re out there talking to voters about Senate Democratic Majority accomplishments—like codifying Roe v. Wade into New York State health law, cutting middle-class taxes five times and increasing state aid to SD40 schools by $210 million to hold down local property taxes.

 

We’re knocking on doors and talking about affordability, common-sense gun safety laws and fixing our roads.

 

81 days until early voting—and I need your support.

 

Thank you!

Sincerely,

New York State Senator 40th District - Democrat - Pete Harckham.

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2024

 

Statement on Gov. Tim Walz as Vice President Harris’s Running Mate by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar.

“The choice should be viewed as a flashing red warning light for the nation.”

“Americans rightly concerned about the skyrocketing cost of living, rising crime, and an ever-worsening illegal migrant crisis in America under President Biden and Vice President Harris should be downright alarmed by the choice of uber-progressive Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Vice President Harris’s running mate. The selection of an anti-police, hard-left-wing candidate demonstrates the sharp leftward direction a Harris Administration would take. The choice should be viewed as a flashing red warning light for the nation.

“At the same time, U.S. allies — especially the State of Israel — should be deeply concerned about Ms. Harris’s choice. Gov. Walz is no evident friend of Israel, and he should be questioned thoroughly about his commitment to our most important Middle East ally.

“Some will be surprised by this selection, but it makes perfect sense. The Democratic Party has been sliding to the left for years, and with a Harris-Walz ticket, the progressive takeover of the Party of Jackson is now complete. Voters beware.”

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: New York State Senator Pete Harckham 40th District: Campaign Internships Available -- Join Our Team!

 

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham 40th District: Join me and Assemblymember Burdick on Aug. 10 for a Coffee & Conversation in New Castle.

 

Please join me and Assemblymember Chris Burdick for our Coffee & Conversation, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, August 10 at the New Castle Town Hall, 200 Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua, NY, 10514. We will be discussing new developments, issues that impact the community and answering questions from community members. Please RSVP to harckham@nysenate.gov

New York State Insider: 2024 Election Desk: New York State Senator Pete Harckham 40th District: The Heat is On.

 

It’s the middle of the summer—and we’re heading to an election!

 

The heat is on, as we ramp up our efforts: campaign rallies, canvassing, phone banks are all starting to fill up our calendar.

 

I appreciate your support for my re-election to the New York State Senate and the progress we have made so far.

 

Protecting women’s reproductive healthcare, passing common-sense gun safety laws, protecting our fragile drinking water supplies are some of our important achievements…but we know how fast our opponents would like to turn it all back.

 

That’s why we’re putting in the work right now and keeping the heat on!

 

Sincerely,

New York State Senator 40th District - Peter Harckham.