Utica Residents Want Lower Costs and Funded Programs, Not Far-Right Grievance Politics
Following Rep. Williams’ Outburst at a D.C. Holiday Party, Empire State Voices Invited Constituents to Discuss the Values They Want to See Brought to Washington
UTICA, NEW YORK — Last night, Utica residents joined Empire State Voices for ‘Pints & Politics,’ a happy hour and community roundtable event at FX Matt Biergarten. The evening provided an opportunity for Utica locals to discuss the values and legislative priorities that they want to see their representatives in Congress advance and fight for over the coming year.
Utica residents gathered to discuss the values and priorities they want to see their representatives fight for. | Credit: ESV
Residents voiced their frustration with Congressman Brandon Williams, who many said wasn’t focused on the major issues impacting their communities. From voting to protect rich tax cheats to voting to cut access to Social Security and Medicare, Rep. Williams has given many working New Yorkers the impression that he isn’t fighting for people like them.
“Throughout his first year in Congress, Representative Williams has repeatedly ignored the needs of his constituents,” said Prerna Deer, NY-22 Regional Organizing Director for Empire State Voices. “He’s voted to cut funding for the programs we rely on while working to make it easier for the richest Americans to cheat on their taxes. This has left many Central New Yorkers feeling left behind and abandoned, desperate for someone to start fighting for families like theirs.”
Several attendees also pointed to the Congressman’s actions over the past week as evidence that his priorities were misplaced. Last Thursday, Rep. Williams was caught threatening a former employee at a D.C. holiday party before spending his Sunday at a high-dollar Manhattan fundraiser with hard-right Speaker Mike Johnson.
“Brandon Williams is too focused on kissing up to MAGA Mike Johnson and threatening his former staffers at parties to get in touch with the needs of people in this region,” said Senya Bekui, Central NY Lead Organizer for Citizen Action. “His radical vision for America is not shared by Central New Yorkers, and events like ‘Pints & Politics’ offer the opportunity for residents to come together and make their voices heard. CNY needs someone focused on its residents' needs, not on settling political scores or screaming threats in people's faces."
To learn more about the campaign, please reach out to press@empirestatevoices.org
###
About Empire State Voices
Empire State Voices (ESV) is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. ESV is fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same.
