Campaign Update: August on the Trail

It’s been a busy August as we’ve kept ramping up our campaign’s outreach to every corner of New York’s 17th District. John has been racking up the miles (and the bridge tolls) as he works every day to share his story of service in the FBI and his message of affordability, safety and accountability with voters and stakeholders across Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Now that it’s September we wanted to share some highlights with you. 

Focus On Affordability: Healthcare

As a cancer survivor, John has put his ironclad commitment to protecting and expanding access to quality, affordable health care at the forefront of his campaign for Congress. 

John held a community forum at Sunshine Homecare in New City, giving him the opportunity to hear directly from health care and homecare providers, patient advocates and family members about the impact that Mike Lawler’s cuts to Medicaid will have on the people they serve in our community. John was grateful to learn more about the critical work they do and shared how he’ll work to reverse these damaging policy changes and help deliver health care for those who depend on it.

John also delivered a video response to Lawler’s new digital ads falsely claiming that his vote protected Medicaid and our local hospitals. John laid out the facts:

  • Lawler voted to cut Medicaid by almost $1 trillion, the biggest Medicaid cut in history.

  • The cuts will kick tens of thousands of families, children and seniors in NY-17 off of their health coverage, including working parents who don’t keep up with the bill’s new paperwork requirements.

  • Lawler’s vote will force service cuts and layoffs at local hospitals and clinics, weakening our health care and driving up costs for everyone.

Endorsement Update: Able Dems

This month, John was proud to earn the endorsement of Able Dems, the Democratic Party’s leading voice for Americans with disabilities.

John knows that for people with disabilities the bill is more than just a benefit cut - it’s an attack on their human rights and means of basic survival. John is committed to not only undoing this attack but strengthening and preserving our health care guarantees for people with disabilities and for all Americans who depend on them.

Focus on Safety: Gun Violence Prevention

As a NY-17 constituent, John joined members of Moms Demand Action at Mike Lawler’s office in Pearl River, to deliver their petition urging him to oppose H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. 

This dangerous bill would mandate that states like New York honor concealed weapons permits from states with few or no restrictions, wiping out our state’s hard-won gun safety protections. 

Rallying With Organized Labor

As the son of two CWA members, John is proud to be on the side of working people and to fight for an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

John joined 1199SEIU in West Nyack to support Rockland Pulmonary workers in their one-day strike action this month, standing in solidarity with health care workers in their fight for fair pay and benefits that are more than earned by the irreplaceable work they do.

The following week, John joined workers from across organized labor at the AFL-CIO’s “It’s Better In A Union” nationwide bus tour stop in Croton. John heard directly from AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler and labor leaders from NYSUT, 1199SEIU, CSEA Local 860, CWA 1103, NYSNA and more who spoke with one voice about the harm Mike Lawler’s votes have done to our health care, jobs, and economic security.

Focus on Accountability: Protecting the Rule of Law

John joined Kevin McAvey of Bedford for a livestreamed interview, talking about the threat that the Trump Administration’s lawless actions pose to our freedom and rights to due process, our safety and security, and the abject cowardice of Mike Lawler and other members of Congress who won’t do their duty and make sure our government is accountable to the people.

John took to social media to raise the alarm about the warping of the FBI’s mission under the Trump administration, the purging of career public servants and hiring of violent extremists.

Engaging With Democrats Across NY-17

From sharing his experience and positions and taking questions from an energized crowd at a candidate forum organized by the Putnam and Dutchess County Democrats…

…to knocking on doors with local candidates and helping bring their message directly to voters to make sure they win this November…

…to joining meet-and-greets, committee meetings, Indivisible chapters and grassroots groups, and conversations with town chairs, nonprofit leaders, and concerned citizens…

…John has been honored to share his background, experience, and priorities with folks across the Lower Hudson Valley who are doing the hard work to make change.

How To Get Involved

If you haven’t already, you can always donate or sign up to volunteer. In addition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at info@johnsullivanforny.com if you are interested in getting involved by:

  • Hosting a meet-and-greet in your community anywhere in the 17th District - as John says, there’s no living room too small!

  • Hosting or co-hosting a fundraising event to support the work we’re doing to share John’s message across the district.

  • Joining John and the team to contact voters on behalf of Democratic candidates this fall.

  • Any other way you’d like to help.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for much more!