Letter to the Editor: Kesten Best To Defeat Murphy's Trump Agenda

To the Editor:

The Democratic primary is almost here. On Thurs. Sept. 13th you will have the opportunity to decide who best represents your progressive values and has the best chance to defeat incumbent Republican State Senator Terrence Murphy and the Trump agenda he advocates for his constituents in the SD40 Senate District.

I urge you to take some time out to attend one or more of the debates planned between them and decide for yourself who best deserves your vote and has the best chance of replacing Mr. Murphy in Albany.

For me, having listened to both candidates and weighed their commitment, ideas and programs, I believe Robt. Kesten to be the best possible choice to challenge the failed policies of Murphy in his bid for re-election in Nov.

Why Kesten? Well for starters, he has been a declared candidate for over a year, working hard to dialog with town and village residents at Town Halls, train stations and events thruout the District and raising funds, most of it in small donations from individual contributors. That takes effort, persistence and lots of moxie. And, he’s independent – a grass roots candidate not beholden to either party establishment. As such, if elected he would not be restrained from taking action in attacking corruption in Albany and proposing fresh, new solutions to problems we face in our communities.

Unlike his opponent, Peter Harckham, he is not a career politician and did not enter the race just a few months ago at the urging of the Governor and other party officials in Albany.

Robt. is an indefatigable campaigner with broad local, national and international experience in non-profit organizations and with a record of promoting effective solutions to difficult problems.

This is his first run for office and he comes to the challenge with nearly a dozen town and city Democratic committee endorsements and the fervent backing of numerous activist groups looking to improve our infrastructure, stimulate new business and jobs, fund proactive retraining programs and introduce transforming technology to New York.

To conclude, if you believe in sensible gun reform, educational excellence, affordable health care, fair treatment of our immigrant neighbors, clean air and water, women’s reproductive rights and voting made easy, please take the time to VOTE Robt. Kesten as your choice in the Democrat primary election on Sept. 13th.

You can make a difference!

Jay Forbes

Croton on Hudson