Indivisible Westchester: The Podcast

Democrats score a major victory in a high stakes special election in New York. Casey Sabella, NY Democrats State Director for 2024 and Jon Tomlin, Democratic Strategist with Actum, join Shannon to talk about the questions this race answered - what made the difference in this race that made national headlines? And, what does this mean for Democrats running for Congress this year throughout New York?

The special election to fill George Santos' vacant seat is just a few weeks away. State Senator Shelley Mayer joins us with a call to action. She shares all the details on how you can help get out the vote, and why the election on February 13th is so crucial for New York and the country. Sign up to Canvass with Shelley Mayer on January 27th https://bit.ly/012724West4NY3

We are back in 2024 with all new episodes! This week Shannon is joined by Corinne Carey, NY & NJ Campaign Director Compassion & Choices, to discuss New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act. She shares why it matters and how you can help make sure it passes in New York. Find out more: https://www.compassionandchoices.org/in-your-state/new-york

New York State Senator Shelley Mayer joins Shannon today to talk about how New York can expand access to abortion care nationwide. Blue states like New York passed laws protecting abortion care providers from prosecution for those traveling from states with abortion bans. Telemedicine shield laws take that a step further, protecting doctors who prescribe pills to out of state women seeking to have abortions at home. Sen. Mayer discusses her bill that offers those protections in New York.

All eyes are on the New York Court of Appeals and the search for a new Chief Judge. Governor Kathy Hochul has until December 23rd to nominate one of seven possible candidates for the top job on state’s highest court. Former Chief Judge Janet DiFiore abruptly stepped down earlier this year. Many progressives blame her for the court’s drift to the right, including blocking congressional districts drawn by the legislature, a move that cost New York Democrats four house seats this cycle. In turn, progressive activists and advocacy groups have their own ideas about who should take DiFiore’s place. To talk about the vacancy, Shannon is joined by Peter Martin, Director of Judicial Accountability for The Center for Community Alternatives and a leader of the Court New York Deserves Coalition of which Indivisible Westchester is a member.

Georgia is headed to the polls yet again. Shannon is joined by Sarah Riggs Amico, former candidate for Georgia Lt. Governor and US Senate, to discuss Senator Warnock's campaign and how the Republicans could be in trouble. They also share lessons from Georgia organizing that could help New York in the future.

The midterm elections are over and Democrats outperformed expectations everywhere except for New York. The Democrats lost House seats across the state even while electing Kathy Hochul. What happened, and what do the Democrats in New York need to do next? Shannon is joined by Jake Dilemani, Partner at Mercury Public Affairs and Democratic Strategist.

Live from Mt. Vernon at the Our Communities United for Hochul & Delgado Rally for Row A. Election Day is Tuesday November 8th. New York polls are open 6am-9pm. Every vote counts! Highlights from Gov. Hochul, Lt. Gov. Delgado, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, Sen. Jamaal Bailey, Mt. Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, County Exec. George Latimer, Deputy County Exec. Ken Jenkins and members from Hispanic Democrats of Westchester, Westchester County Democratic Committee, Working Families Party and Westchester Asian American Democrats.

Early voting in New York is relatively new and still somewhat of a novelty, but the numbers tell a story about enthusiasm and turnout. With so many competitive high profile races come concerns about protecting the right to vote. Shannon is joined by Jarret Berg, Co-Founder and Voting Rights Counsel at Vote Early New York, to discuss all things voting.

The polls are closer than anyone expected in the race for New York Governor. John Tomlin, Managing Director at Actum, and Jake Dilemani, Partner at Mercury Public Affairs, join Shannon to talk about the race, how we can get involved, and what surprises might be in store when the votes are counted.

Flip your ballot this November to find Prop 1, also known as the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Bond Act. Shannon is joined by NY Assemblyman Steve Otis and Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, to discuss why you need to make sure to flip your ballot and vote YES on Prop 1 this November.

The fight for control of the House majority in 2022 runs through New York. New York was supposed to be a blue firewall but is now one of the most heavily contested states in the country. New maps created more competitive districts all across the state. There are six competitive house seats that could go either way. Hear from activists and party members about these six districts and how we can help keep them blue.

State Senator Pete Harckham joins us to talk about his re-election campaign against a man who calls himself "Trump's Translator." We also learn how we can get involved and help keep this seat blue. Learn more about Senator Harckham and volunteer: https://peteforny.com

Polls show that college students support Joe Biden by large margins but how to get them to register and turn out to vote? We talk with Abe Baker-Butler, founder of Frosh Vote, and what he is doing to make sure college students are at the polls in November.

We talk to Indivisible Westchester's Mark Klapper and Indivisible New Rochelle's Kim Snyder about fighting Russian bots and home grown trolls. Find out what you can do to curb disinformation. Find more tools to fight disinformation: https://www.disarmdisinfo.com

We are joined by Ny Whitaker, Lead New York for Biden+Harris and Cheryl Geller, Co-Lead Westchester for Biden+Harris. Hear how New Yorkers are working to take back the White House this election season and how you can get involved and help. Sign up to phone bank with Westchester for Biden+Harris: Sundays: https://www.mobilize.us/joebiden/event/283543 Mondays: https://www.mobilize.us/2020victory/event/312933/ Find more phone banks, text banks postcards and more here: www.newyorkforbidenharris2020.com

We are back! Former Obama Administration Official Chris Lu joins us to talk all things 2020 Election: Biden, Trump, voting and more. Looking for ways to get involved in the 2020 election? Check out our Take Action page: www.indivisiblewestchester.org/take-action

We talk to NY State Senator Shelley Mayer about New York’s bleak financial picture. She shares what it means for schools and the people struggling to get the benefits they need.

The Presidential Candidates aren’t on the ballot, but the June Democratic primaries are on in Westchester. And with them, come changes in the way we can vote. Jarret Berg, attorney and Co-Founder of Vote Early NY, discusses early voting and how to vote by mail. Find out more about voting in NY: https://www.voteearlyny.org

Local food banks are overwhelmed by the need caused by the Coronavirus. We talk to Indivisible member Rhiannon Navin who has been working tirelessly to feed people in New Rochelle since the outbreak began. Help fund the effort in New Rochelle: https://bit.ly/2XMBE2g