Spotlight 19

In Episode 43, Justin talks about his naturalization and upcoming musical fundraisers, and Sajaa interviews candidate for NY State Senate District 41, Karen Smythe. Karen returns to the podcast for a third time, which ties her with Gareth Rhodes for most appearances! Karen talks about issues ranging from the impact of Justice Ginsburg's passing to the COVID crisis's implications on Dutchess/Putnam Counties and beyond. Please chip in to elect Karen here. 

There are two upcoming musical fundraisers for NY19 candidates available to stream:

Wreckless Eric, Amy Rigby & Brian Dewan in support of Betsy Kraat, Assembly District 102 Candidate
October 8, 2020 @ 8:30 p.m. 
https://www.facebook.com/events/412073336445074

Woodstock Democratic Committee Fundraiser featuring Justin! and Jack DeJohnette
October 8, 2020 @ 8:00 p.m.
https://www.facebook.com/events/433358900963531

In Episode 42, we hear an excerpt of Rep. Antonio Delgado's campaign kickoff speech before we hear Sajaa's discussion with Assembly District 102 candidate, Betsy Kraat. Betsy and Sajaa talk about COVID isolation, the recent outbreak of COVID-19 at SUNY Oneonta, and Betsy's background as a tenant organizer. You can reach out to Betsy's campaign and get involved by emailing betsy@betsyforassembly.com. Be sure to get involved as we enter the final few weeks before Election Day by signing for a phone bank shift or eight: https://delgadoforcongress.com/get-involved/.

Spotlight 19, NY19’s original podcast on all things Congressional District 19 is back after a year-long hiatus! We talk to MichelleHinchey, candidate for NY Senate District 46, about growing up in Saugerties and in a campaigning household and hear a call to action from Representative Antonio Delgado on how important it is to get involved this cycle. Visit delgado.vote to learn more about the Weekend Of Action phonebanking days coming up this weekend, September 5-6, and visit www.hincheyforny.com for more comprehensive information on Michelle Hinchey’s platform. We are just 2 months away from saving democracy! 

In Episode 40 (!!!!!!!!!!!), Spotlight 19 speaks to Ulster County Comptroller Candidate March Gallagher, who would become Ulster County's first elected female comptroller on her vision for good governance and protecting the taxpayers and residents of Ulster County. You can find out how to get involved with March's campaign at www.marchforulster.com.  We also hear from Dave Clegg, an old friend of Spotlight 19 who is now running for District Attorney to bring a progressive vision of criminal justice reform and an approach based in rehabilitation to the opioid crisis. Visit cleggforda.com for more information. This election season is the first time New York State voters will have the ability to vote early. To find out information on Ulster County's early voting sites, visit: https://elections.ulstercountyny.gov/early-voting/. For other counties, please visit your county board of elections site. You can access the State Board of Elections website here.

In Episode 39(!), Sajaa and Justin briefly speculate on the 2020 NY19 race before Sajaa interviews Malia K. Du Mont, Chair of the NY19 Veteran's Advisory Committee. Major Du Mont was named to the position by Rep. Delgado in May. Malia enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1999. Malia and Sajaa discuss her career, including service in Afghanistan, her current position as Chief of Staff at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, and the work of the Veteran's Advisory Committee. Some of the issues that face NY19 veterans include difficulties navigating bureaucracy in receiving benefits and the lack of a women's VA clinic within NY19. Malia is also committed to issues facing student veterans. You can find out more about Malia here and can email her directly with questions about the Committee at maliakdumont@gmail.com, and keep track of the work of the Veteran's Advisory Committee by signing up for Rep. Delgado's email list here.

In Episode 38, Spotlight 19 takes a deep dive into the environment, with a specific focus on the PFAS issue. PFAS are a group of chemicals used to produce firefighting foam and other heavy industrial products that are known carcinogens. Companies like Dupont and 3M are just some of the entities responsible for these chemicals. Spotlight 19's own Sajaa Tracy was fortunate to speak to Judith Enck, former Region 2 EPA Administrator who provides a primer on the PFAS issue. Sajaa also spoke with Representative Antonio Delgado, who appears on the show for the first time as our Congressman (after many appearances as candidate)! Congressman Delgado will talk about some of the legislation and work he has done on the PFAS issue.  Three ways to listen: Stream directly here or here, or download on your podcast app here!

To find out more about the environmental initiatives discussed by Judith Enck in the episodes, visit, follow her on at https://twitter.com/enckj and visit http://beyondplastics.org/

To sign up for Representative Delgado's newsletter and stay up to date about when he will be in a location near you, visit: https://delgado.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe