When I was fourteen years old, I met John De Vito through Peace Project, a program that helps troubled teens find alternative ways to deal with difficult situations at home. John, then a Sophomore at William Floyd High School, quickly became a friend and mentor to me. He taught me how to meet goals without letting anyone get in my way and to always stay true to myself. Two years later, in a town where homophobia is not uncommon, our student body elected John, who was openly gay, as our President. John soon became the first person in his family to attend college and, four years after that, law school.
I admire John because ever since I met him, he has always accomplished everything that he has set out to do. It comes as no surprise to me and to the others who have known John, that he is is now running for State Senate. Unlike so many in Albany and Washington, John cares deeply about his community. If elected, I know he will fight to make a difference.
John is a Democrat, running in New York State Senate District 3, which stretches from Sayville to Mastic-Shirley on the East End of Long Island. He has spent almost a decade in progressive politics, working on campaigns and more recently as a Field Organizer for President Obama’s Organizing for Action. And if elected, at age 25, he would be the youngest State Senator in New York’s history and the first openly LGBT state legislator from Long Island.
This race, however, is more important than any one person. The future of the New York State Senate majority hangs in the balance. We are one of the most progressive states in the country. Yet for the past six years, without a real majority in the State Senate, we have been rendered silent on progressive issues like transgender rights and campaign finance reform. This means that transgender people will still get discriminated against when they apply for jobs, and that our politicians spend more time raising money than serving the community. The contribution limit for State Senate in New York is $10,000; ten times more than the limit in neighboring Connecticut, which has public funding for elections. A Democratic majority could change all of that.
It will not be easy, but John has a real shot at winning this November. In 2008, the last time Senate Democrats held a majority in Albany, they did so with this seat. President Obama has swept the district twice. In 2012, the Democratic candidate for State Senate received forty five percent of the vote without even campaigning.
John is a young upstart, who does more than punch above his weight. He succeeds expectations in everything he does. This race is no exception. Over five hundred people have contributed or volunteered for John’s campaign and he has raised more than sixty thousand dollars without accepting a cent of special interest money.
I know the real John De Vito. I know that no matter the outcome in this election, he will stay true to himself. I know that he will continue to fight for progressive values and serve his community because that is what he has done throughout his entire life.
Visit www.devitoforsenate.com for more information on John.