NORWICH – At a recent meeting of the Chenango County Democratic Committee a number of candidates were endorsed for office.

Joe Biden was endorsed for President for his positions on issues including the need to combat climate change, promoting the middle class, advocating for the Violence Against Women Act and preventing sexual assault, and fixing the Affordable Care Act.

Anthony Brindisi is running to retain his seat as United States Congressman from the 22nd Congressional district. In his two years in that office, Anthony has had four pieces of legislation signed into law by President Trump. A member of the Veterans and Agriculture Committees, he has actively worked to promote policies benefiting those groups, including continuing funding of the VA clinic in Bainbridge. He has had in-person town halls throughout the District, and continues to do so virtually during the pandemic. Anthony continues to reach across the aisle to find solutions to benefit his constituents.

The honorable Elizabeth Garry has the Committee’s support to retain her seat on the 6th Judicial District of the New York State Supreme Court. Judge Garry has over 19 years of judicial experience, was elected NYS Supreme Court Justice in 2006, appointed to the Appellate Division in 2009 and then promoted to Presiding Justice in 2018, the first from our district in 76 years.

Rick Shaw of Downsville was endorsed in the NYS 122nd NYS Assembly district race. “A common man with common sense,” he was born and raised in Delaware County, was a Health and Safety Coordinator for DCMO BOCES for 25 years, and still works as a consultant since his retirement. Rick supports common sense revisions the NYS SAFE Act and Bail Reform Act, supporting mental illness treatment initiatives, supporting agricultural business initiatives, repairing deteriorating infrastructure and reducing taxes.

In the 126th NYS Assembly district race, Dia Carabajal was be endorsed. In addition to her position as professor at Cayuga Community College, Dia has ten years of elected service in Auburn. A strong advocate for children and education, she also supports the New York Health Act giving every New Yorker access to healthcare. Working for environmental justice, especially in the area of protecting wetlands is of particular concern to Dia.

Jim Barber is running for New York State Senate in the 51st District. Jim and his family still work the land he grew up on in Middleburgh. Having worked for the NYS Department of Agriculture and served as the NYS Executive Director of the USDA Farm Services Agency, Jim is well-known and respected in the local farming community. In addition to support for farms and small businesses, he wants to help revitalize the rural economy, protect our land and water, ensure access to affordable health care, and fight back against high taxes.

For more information on these candidates, visit their websites: bidenforpresident.com; brindisieforcongress.com; rickshawforassembly.com; JimBarberforSenate.org; diaforassembly.com; garryforjustice.com.

If you want an absentee ballot, apply now at the Chenango County Board of Elections, and you may use “fear of COVID” as a reason. And then vote, whether by absentee, at early voting October 24 to November 1, or at the polls on November 3.

– Submitted by Chenango County Democratic Committee Chair Patti Giltner