A Racist and Misleading Political TV Ad by Astorino

I just viewed the most racist and misleading political TV ad by former County Executive Rob Astorino since the Willie Horton ad for Bush. The TV ad portrays a young Black male pushing an older White woman to the ground. She is obviously hurt. The young Black man continues on.

The script blames Pete Harckham for this crime. The Astorino campaign is irresponsible for orchestrating this clearly racist commercial. It focuses on the recently passed No Bail reform that will reduce pre-trail incarceration. This reform involves misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies and benefits those without financial means—not violent criminals. This is the type of race-baiting the makes up much of Trump’s and Astorino’s rhetoric.

Astorino could have shown a White man pushing down a White woman or a Black man pushing a Black Woman if he had wanted an illustration. But that wouldn’t have alarmed the mostly White community he was addressing. That wouldn’t have scared anyone.

Astorino and Trump are using the same scare tactics. Make suburban White women afraid of minorities. This White suburban woman recognizes racist propaganda when she sees it and is ready to call it out.

All the communities in Senate Distract 40 were rated A, or A+ for safety. But Astorino doesn’t care about facts or truth. After all he has represented Trump in New York. He marches to the same crude, vile drumbeat.

Ironically, crime has been down in Westchester County since Astorino left office, after surrendered his Rolex watch as a settlement in an investigation into bribery.

Pete Harckham’s service as our State Senator has been stellar. Pete has worked for the environment, education, women’s rights, tax reductions, and combating the opioid epidemic, along with Covid pandemic relief.

Pete’s work to help our neighbors during the Pandemic has been phenomenal, tireless, and selfless. I’m proud of Pete!

Thank you for considering my letter.

Andrea Black Jeffries