EAST END DEMOCRATS UNIFY (Updated July 6)

Democratic Nominee for Congress Perry Gershon at
Democratic Unity Rally, with 235 in Attendance.

EAST HAMPTON, NY, Monday, July 2— Local Democrats held a successful Unity Rally to celebrate unified opposition to the current NY-1 U.S. Representative in Congress, Tea Party zealot Lee Zeldin.

All of the four candidates who did not win last week’s Democratic primary showed up yesterday to support the winner, Perry Gershon.

Despite 91-degree heat, 235 friends and supporters showed up to pledge their support for Gershon.

Perry Gershon, Winner of the
Democratic Primary, to Run Against
Lee Zeldin. Photos by E Rautenberg.

Momentum continued from the estimated 75 percent increase in turnout over that of the 2016 primary.

The event was attended by two Democratic Members of Congress — 15-term Representative Nita Lowey, from the NY-17 (Westchester), and 12-term Representative Carolyn Maloney, from the NY-12 (East Side Manhattan, West Queens, North Brooklyn).

Also speaking was New York State Assemblywoman Christine Pellegrino, who in May won a celebrated upset victory in a district on the Nassau-Suffolk county line that has been strongly Republican.

Supporters of Gershon

The event was held at a private home in the center of East Hampton’s Springs Historic District.

The East Hampton event was organized by several grassroots organizations that have emerged since the election of the president, primarily East End Resist & Replace, with encouragement from Let’s Visit Lee Zeldin and others, in collaboration with the East Hampton Town Democratic Party.

Alice Tepper Marlin
Welcomes Guests

Participants in the event included Peter Van Scoyoc, Town Supervisor, and members of the Board such as Sylvia Overby. Former Congressman Tim Bishop was also on hand.

Speakers discussed activities applicable to all areas of the country for defeating allies of President Donald Trump.

Said Gershon: “The turnout here is a sign that this district doesn’t want more out-of-touch politicians like Lee Zeldin and Donald Trump, but a movement that’s striving for a better future for us all. It’s time to fire Lee Zeldin, take back the House, and stop Donald Trump.”

Added Kate Browning, who finished the primary in second place: “With buddies at his kickoff event like Sean Spicer and Sebastian Gorka, and his support for terrible policies like ripping apart families, it's clear Lee Zeldin belongs on Fox & Friends — not representing Suffolk families in Congress.”

The volunteers checking in guests counted 210 people, with another dozen from Perry Gershon's campaign team. The total attendance count was 235.

Guests were asked to volunteer to work on the campaign, and 76 signed up to do canvassing, 77 phone-banking, 49 to host a party, 32 to host a fundraiser, and 55 to do voter registration. The hard work is just beginning. (Story in the East Hampton Star here: http://easthamptonstar.com/Government/2018705/After-Primary-Democrats-Project-Unity)

Peter Van Scoyoc, East Hampton Town Supervisor, calls on the four candidates who did not win the Primary to express their support for the winning candidate. They all were there and they all gave their support. It was a turning point for many.

See also "Pink Army Forming" https://cityeconomist.blogspot.com/2018/07/anti-trump-bump-women-dominated.html.