By Ellen Blais, Member, Steering Committee, Greater Bronxville Indivisible

Editor's note: District 37 of the New York State Senate comprises the cities of New Rochelle, Rye, White Plains, and Yonkers, the towns of Bedford, Eastchester, Harrison, Mamaroneck, North Castle, and Rye, the villages of Bronxville, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Rye Brook, and Tuckahoe, and the unincorporated places of Armonk, Bedford, Bedford Hills, Eastchester, and Katonah.

Apr. 4, 2018:  Greater Bronxville Indivisible ("GBI") (www.gbindivisible.org) issued a statement endorsing Shelley Mayer (D) for New York State Senate in District 37. The special election, to be held on April 24, 2018, will fill the seat vacated by George Latimer following his election as Westchester County executive. Shelley’s opponent is Julie Killian (R).

Shelley Mayer has been a member of the New York State Assembly representing District 90, which includes Yonkers, for six years. Shelley Mayer is a lifelong Westchester resident (Yonkers and White Plains), and she was chief counsel to the Senate Democrats and assistant attorney general. She is a mother and grandmother. 

Said Viji George, a member of the Greater Bronxville Indivisible Steering Committee: “After a significant amount of research on the candidates for this race, we find that Shelley’s positions substantially align with GBI’s 'core issues' position statement that was approved by our membership when we were founded.”  These core issues reflect the progressive values of the membership and cover topics such as education, climate change, immigration, women’s and minority rights, gun safety, voting rights, and reproductive rights. 

According to Thatcher Drew, a GBI member: “In debate, Shelley Mayer demonstrated a superior grasp of the issues. Her experience representing Yonkers in the assembly, her demonstrated commitment to issues that align with GBI’s core values, and her tenacity make her a compelling candidate.”   

Steering committee member Bruce Anderson added: “We are also troubled by the highly negative campaign that Ms. Killian has conducted. Her television ads and mailers misconstrue Shelley Mayer’s involvement in a sexual abuse case involving another member of the Assembly and her support for Sheldon Silver. In fact, Ms. Mayer was one of the first and most vocal members calling for Silver’s resignation after corruption allegations came to light.” 

GBI notes that Ms. Mayer has supported three recent pieces of legislation passed by the Assembly related to gun control. The legislation bans bump stocks, extends the waiting period from three to ten days in certain circumstances, and creates “extreme risk” protection orders. She is also a sponsor of the NY SAFE Act, designed to limit the possession of assault weapons, said to be one of the strongest in the nation. Votes on these issues have been blocked by Senate Republicans, who effectively control the New York State Senate.

“This is an important election. The election of Shelley Mayer will be a major step toward Democratic control of the New York State Senate. That explains why the Killian campaign, including the major PAC money that is being spent, is so negative,” said Jean Hanson, also a steering committee member. “The goal is to make people who would otherwise vote for Ms. Mayer stay home. We can’t let that happen.”  

Additional information on Shelley Mayer is available online at www.nyassembly.gov/mem/shelley-mayer, www.shelley4senate.com, and https://ballotpedia.org/Shelley_Mayer.

About Greater Bronxville Indivisible

In March of 2017, Bronxville-area residents formed a non-partisan group with the goal of becoming more politically active. The group, known as Greater Bronxville Indivisible, was founded on a shared sense of alarm over the current state of politics in the country. The group approved and adopted a set of core issues that reflect the progressive values of its membership and guide decisions on endorsement of candidates.

Greater Bronxville Indivisible’s top goals are to keep people informed of the issues and to create an organized outlet for activism. Its principles and purposes center on protecting the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, particularly the First Amendment, on resisting efforts to erode civil liberties, and on upholding the positive spirit of tolerance and mutual respect embodied in the U.S. Constitution. 

“We intend to provide support and outlets for members to take action on the issues of importance to them.  There are so many issues—education, climate change, immigration, health care, gun safety, voting rights, and reproductive rights, to name just a few—and our aim is to aid in making voices heard on these important issues of the day,” said Annette Adamiyatt, also a member of the GBI Steering Committee. 

Pictured here:  Members of Greater Bronxville Indivisible.

Photo courtesy Bruce Anderson, Member, Greater Bronxville Indivisible

Editor's note:  As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes press releases, statements, and articles from local institutions, legislators, and candidates. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.