Story and photos by Julie Carasone
Kim Smith, a candidate for the 61st State Senate District, stopped by at the Richmond Memorial Library on Tuesday evening during her “Listening Tour”.
Smith met with local residents to discuss the challenges and concerns they face in their communities. The issues ranged from the legalization of medical marijuana, farming, solar panels, women’s health care access, domestic and sexual violence, lack of transportation and health care barriers.
Mike Ranzenhofer, a Republican from Amherst, who is currently the Senator in the 61st District, announced he will retire at the end of his term in December 2019. Ranzenhofer has served in the state Senate for a decade.
The day that Ranzenhofer announced his retirement, Joan Seamans announced her candidacy for the New York Senate District 61.
As the listening tour goes on, Kim says the biggest issue right now is taxes, lack of resources and local governments.
Even though Genesee County is predominately run by Republicans, she hopes to be able to reach out to the rural community by holding these listening tours and hearing from a diverse group of people.
“Because honestly it’s the love for the people, whether we are Democrat, Republican, white, black, green, it’s the love of the people, we all need a champion to represent all of us,” says Smith.
This is Smith’s first time running for office. She has worked in government for 25 years and has been a political activist for three years.
“Usually I am on the outside fighting and this is the first time I will be on the inside fighting. Those that encouraged me to run are my friends, family and the people that come to the listening sessions. The people are enjoying it and they want to be heard, so they have become the part of the people that are encouraging me to run, because this should not be the exception, this is what we should always expect from the people who want our vote.”
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/kimsmithforsenate/
The Genesee County Democratic Committee will be holding a “Meet the Candidates” night on January 30, 2020 at Moon Java Cafe