By Dan Murphy
The two candidates seeking to replace Shelley Mayer in the New York State Assembly recently held a handful of debates and candidates forum throughout the City of Yonkers. Democrat Nader Sayegh and Republican Joe Pinion are battling it out to serve Yonkers in Albany in the 90th Assembly District, and both are campaigning hard until Election Day, Nov. 6.
Sometimes elections are a contrast between two candidates, not just of political party, but based on life experiences and shared experiences that Yonkers residents, families and taxpayers share with each other.
During these debates, Nader Sayegh asked Joe Pinion: “Where have you been?” based on the fact that Sayegh has served the City of Yonkers for 40 years, he has grown children who attended the Yonkers Public Schools, and has served on many volunteer boards – the biggest and most time-consuming being the Yonkers Board of Education.
Pinion has taken the role of political outsider in this race, and has attempted to call for change in Yonkers, and to send someone from a different party with a different view on what the people of Yonkers deserve and need from Albany. Pinion is an excellent communicator and has attempted to tie Sayegh to the 40 years of a lack of proper state education dollars coming into Yonkers.
Sayegh responded by asking Pinion: “Where is your experience in Yonkers? I have never seen you at a Board of Education meeting, or City Council meeting, or community event, for the last six years. You say you love your city, Joe, but where have you been?”
Pinion responded by linking Sayegh to the failed policies of Yonkers. But that failed policy also includes the same elected officials that Pinion wants to replace, namely Sen. Shelley Mayer, one of the more popular elected officials from Yonkers.
Sayegh also challenged Pinion on his negative assessment that “my city is dying.”
“While we all have some concerns, I believe there has been positive change and a renaissance in our city,” said Sayegh. “Our graduation rates are the highest of any other comparable city in the state, and developers are lining up to come to Yonkers. The negative attacks against the city by my opponent do not come with any solutions.”
Sayegh recently received several union endorsements, including from the New York State Nurses Association.
“The New York State Nurses Association is proud to endorse Nader Sayegh for the Assembly district being vacated by Shelley Mayer,” said Tara Martin, NYSNA state political director. “Nader has served the public for over four decades, working in the Yonkers School District battling to improve education for all of the city’s students. He is a fighter for families and believes that health care is a right, not a privilege. There is no one better to serve the residents of 90th Assembly district than Nader Sayegh.”
Sayegh also has the support from Moms Demand Action, a grassroots organization that focuses on gun violence prevention and gun safety. Born out of the tragedy at Sandy Hook School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and, along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns and the Everytown Survivor Network, is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country, with more than 5 million supporters.
“I am honored to receive the support of Moms Demand Action,” said Sayegh. “I understand the integral role that parents play in advocating for the future of their children and the message that MDA puts out there is not just a relatable message, but a necessary one. Gun safety is important and not separate from protecting the 2nd amendment rights of our citizens. They go hand-in-hand, and our communities could be doing a better job of keeping our children safe, especially in our schools where we have seen gun violence terrorize our students. Gun violence has no place in our society.”
Sayegh is running on the Democratic, Working Families, Independence, Green and
Reform Party lines. Pinion is on the Republican, Conservative party lines.
Election Day is Nov. 6.
