Most people don't think of Republicans when they think of New York City. But surprisingly, a Bush rubberstamp is in Congress "representing" hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. I'm one of many constituents who do not feel well represented.
I'm Steve Harrison, and I'm challenging NYC's only Republican Congress Member for the NY-13 House seat - that's Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. With just over a month left until Election Day, I wanted to take a moment and say, things are looking good.
I've been running on many issues - energy independence, the war in Iraq, universal healthcare, protecting Social Security, improving education, strengthening the rights of working families, fighting for veterans' benefits, and local concerns, including transportation and overdevelopment. I find support all over the district when I speak about the need to end the Iraq war, end our dependence on oil, and reverse Bush's tax cuts for the rich so that we can fund healthcare and prescription drug programs. Most people agree that we need affordable housing, support for education and better benefits for veterans. Most people agree we need a Democratic Congress that will stand up to President Bush.
Unlike my opponent, Vito Fossella - who claims to be an independent despite his 89% voting record with President Bush (here's a challenge: try to find the word "Republican" on his site) - I'll work for the interests of my constituents. Unlike my opponent, I won't take contributions from Tom DeLay's PAC or from Wal-Mart. And unlike my opponent, I'll be accessible and proactive.
This race is winnable. There are more registered Democrats than Republicans here, and we've been on the ground every day, campaigning in all parts of the district. A telling sign is that my opponent recently accepted not just one but four debates. His poll numbers just might have him running scared.
And he has reason to. Vito Fossella is vulnerable. Not only is he a rubberstamp for the Bush agenda, but he appears to have numerous ties to corruption. Just this month, a congressional committee determined that Fossella violated congressional mailing rules, and he has to pay approximately $60,000 in fines. The Daily News has been covering his various alleged ethics violations, and several of Fossella's donors, most recently Bob Ney, have pled guilty in connection with the Abramoff scandal. NY-13 is a competitive race. This seat is one that will help the Democrats taking back the House.
Please check out my site, www.harrison06.com, for speeches, press clips, endorsements, photos, and more. I hope you'll consider volunteering, contributing, or simply spreading the word. I plan to blog more in the coming weeks, as the campaign heats up even more. It'll be a busy five weeks, but I want to keep everyone informed during this final push. Thanks for reading. Now let's take back the House.