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Dear Ian,
Well, it was close, but it didn't go our way. Congratulations Cheryl Sacco Insinga, the
Republican candidate.
All the justices who hear cases at first instance in the Sixth Judicial District were
elected from the Republican line, and there are more registered Republicans than
Democrats, so we knew it was going to be tough. Despite bipartisan support and endorsers, we ended up with 45.74% of the votes compared to Insinga’s 48.98% (52,572 to 56,291 votes). It really was close. Big thanks to my home Tompkins County where we had 77.8% of the vote compared to my opponent’s 22.14%.
Notwithstanding the outcome, I strongly believe it was worth the fight to try keep
the court from moving further to the right. We did our best and that's all that can
be done. Lots of lessons were learned along the way and most important of all,
great friendships were made.
Sincere and deep thanks to everyone who voted for me or supported the campaign
with donations (I am not allowed to know who), canvassing, time making calls, advice, help spreading the word and getting signs out. Thank you for your tireless work and inspiring dedication.
So many people to thank that it is daunting to even try to list everyone and I am sure I have unintentionally omitted some. Heartfelt thanks to our amazing team:
- Our fearless Campaign Manager Denise Murphy McGraw whose calm and organized approach kept me sane, Treasurer Carol Malz whose rigorous accounting kept the books perfect, Diane Lechner who found me great events to go to, Press Manager Ian Chung in charge of our messaging, Campaign Coordinator Emily Adams, Ryan McHugh, Ted Crane and Tony Chen.
- All the Democratic Committee Chairs: Linda Hoffmann, Caitlin Ogden, Kathleen Hayek, Jamal Malik, Patti Giltner, Liz Moran, Michael Lausell, Max Della Pia, Barb Fiala and Tim Perfetti.
- Amazing people in Tompkins County including Martha Robertson, Dan Lamb, Michael Lane, Joe Wilson (and some who want to remain anonymous – you know I am thinking of you) and Judge Tom Manahan who made calls and took me to the League of Women’s Voters debate.
- The superstars of Broome, including Lena Bishop, Marty Doorey, Debra Gelson, John Perticone, Kate Madigan, Susie Lupo, Matt Ryan (a great help with signs especially), the Reynolds, Linda Biemer, Maureen (Reenie) Wilson, and Susie Ryan, Carol Grippen (amazing cakes), Sarah Dinhofer and Jim Testani.
- Jo Schaffer and Brendan McGovern from Cortland; Bay Malik, Judge Richard Rich (so sad there is only one bed for juvenile offenders in all of Chemung County!), Kathleen Hayek and Kathleen Campbell, Lisa Tait (farmers for Hay bumper sticker design!) and the Smarts; Joan Davis and friends in Tioga whose GOTV efforts had a bigger percentage of Dems voting than Reps, Mary Kager, and Linda Quilty.
- Thank you to my endorsers: Assemblymember Anna Kelles, Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Robert Cantelmo (our new Mayor- hooray!), Melinda Oakes, Macguire Benton, Stephanie Heslop, the Working Families Party in Tompkins County and Eleanor’s Legacy. Thank you too to Sen. Lea Webb for inspiring, timely words.
- Sindy Garey, the Executive Director of the Broome County Bar Association, all involved in the judicial screenings, and the League of Women’s Voters who arranged the debate of the candidates in Binghamton.
- Sue Campbell, who introduced me to the Women of Endicott, is a real treasure. Lisa Fortier (hostess and model extraordinaire), Angela Cornell, Ken Roberts, Valerie Hans and Michael Bend, MiBi Kim, Jan Hertel, Gary Hodges, Lisl Dunlop and Richard Hall.
- Seth Hiland and Harris Beach for a great ad location and Deep Blue for really nice ads.
- Coline Jenkins, great-great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Bruce Moseley, and our wonderful callers: Judi Clippinger, Marianne Friend, and Susan Barnett.
- Meaghan Burnett, you are a fabulous graphics and web designer! Carolina Dean and Arpit for Instagram. Carli and Jessi for helping and Jeff for really amazing sign graphics.
- Special thanks to Mikayla Gates, Ann Michel, and my mates at the Farm Bureau. Also to my barn family for cutting me some slack these last few months and especially Deb Huber who made calls and took signs all over.
It was worth fighting for experience, fairness and keeping politics out of the
courtroom, given my opponent’s track record in the Conservative Party. Sometimes
doing your best isn't enough. It's tough with a family, a job, and 17 horses to take
care of everyday, and it couldn't have gone half as well without the support of the
one and only Prof. George Hay (my loving and supportive husband of 25 years) and
three very tolerant children.
Next up: cleaning the house, the car, the truck and the horses' winter sheds,
spending time with my family, and catching up with friends!
Love to you all!
Thank you,
Deirdre Hay
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