We bitch and complain – But when it comes to voting we often stay home and do nothing about it. The simple truth is that people in Sullivan County do not vote.
Things are so bad here the Board of Elections wanted to close many polling places in Sullivan County.
For example, people who vote in Swan Lake would have had to travel to the Liberty Firehouse instead of the Swan Lake Firehouse. People who reside in Youngsville would have had to travel to Callicoon to vote. The list of underperforming polling places goes on and on.
Thanks to a drive of which I was part of – the Board of Elections was convinced closing polling places would further disenfranchise the electorate – so they agreed to keep these polling places open.
But – now we must all do our duty and come out and vote on Tuesday. Polling places will be open from 6 AM to 9 PM.
Voters in Sullivan County have a lot of important races to cast their ballots on including United States Senate, Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Supreme Court, and State Assembly.
That’s right – Except for Governor – You probably didn’t even know we are also voting for a United States Senator, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Supreme Court Judges, and State Assembly.
All eyes in Sullivan County and where we will have the most input is that for Congress and State Senate.
The race for United States Congress has been dirty and filled with mudslinging. As always in politics – when you can’t stick to the issues and are desperate about losing – one resorts to a smear campaign.
And, that is what they are attempting to do to Democratic challenger Antonio Delgado who is running a strong and professional campaign to oust incumbent Congressman John Faso.
Delgado who is a black and a respected attorney who attended Colgate and Harvard and is a Rhodes Scholar is being smeared for rap lyrics he sang in his youth. He is also being painted as being anti-Israel while his wife is Jewish. Although he was born and raised in Upstate New York the opposition is claiming he is out of touch with the needs of rural New York.
Delgado has stuck to the issues and his message for Sullivan County voters has been strong. He has attacked Faso on his health care votes and has blasted him for closing the Sullivan County Congressional Office that was open during the tenure of former Congressman Chris Gibson.
Faso is an old-time entrenched politician from upstate New York where he is expected to garner the bulk of his votes while Delgado is expected to do well downstate. Every poll has said the race is too tight to call. And, Sullivan County votes can be the determining factor in such a tight contest.
The outcome of the 19th Congressional race is far more reaching than Sullivan County – It is one of the tossup races that can determine the outcome of which party controls the United States House of Representatives. It is also a statement on the approval rating of President Donald Trump.
Our Congressional district comprises all of Sullivan, Ulster, Greene, Columbia, Delaware, Schoharie and Otsego counties; most of Dutchess and Rensselaer counties, and parts of Montgomery and Broome counties.
All eyes will also be on the 42nd State Senate District which is being vacated by retiring popular State Senator John Bonacic.
On the Democratic side is Rosendale Town Councilwoman Jen Metzger who is facing a strong challenge from popular Republican Orange County Clerk and former Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt.
It would have been nice to see a candidate emerge from Sullivan County run for the seat as it spans our county, but unfortunately people like Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Legislator Ira Steingart decided not to run.
The outcome of the 42nd State Senate race can also be the determining factor in which party controls the senate.
Metzger and Rabbitt are both nice respectable candidates, and they claim if elected will work with both political parties.
In reality, Metzger represents progressive values while Rabbitt is viewed as a conservative.
Rabbitt has a strong well-funded John Bonacic backed campaign while Metzger has worked hard to raise money. If there is a strong Democratic wave in the district Metzger can be victorious.
Voting is one of our fundamental rights and is instrumental in the development of a healthy democracy, please use it Tuesday and vote.
No matter who wins – Our Great Nation needs a lot of healing. We must all respect the outcome of the election, unite as a Nation and move on. Yeah Right – Easy to Say!
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.