LETTER: Actions People Can Take Before the Midterm Elections

Dear Editor,

I just attended “Protecting Democracy in the Era of Donald Trump including a Discussion of Citizens United” with State Senator Brownsberger at the Watertown Library. Attendees from Watertown, Waltham, Belmont, and Brighton got to express their concerns about the current situation in Washington, D.C., and asked how to impact it. The most salient point was to participate in the electoral process.

Last night, we shared our concerns and asked Party representatives there what we can do?  I invite those who attended to share here because the local paper is a media, we the people, still possess. Some of you were so eloquent and some of you hit the nail on the head! I agreed with all of you. Remember it was pamphleteers, including our own Samuel Adams, that spread the unpopular idea for independence. Fair warning there will be responses from idolaters but there are more of us, left, right and center who share very similar concerns. An election won by 1.5% does not a mandate make. I will go first.

My main concern was the Social Security Administration since social security, medicare and medicaid serve our most vulnerable – the elderly, children, low income and persons with disabilities, and if that pillar fell, many more in the middle would as well. Related, I worried about the Dept. of Education. I said I didn’t care about red states (voters who voted for Trump), but then I said I do care about those voters who have children with disabilities because DOE is the only entity that guarantees their right to an education. I didn’t want to see an autistic child in Arkansas sit at home all day, regardless of how the family had voted. 

How can we participate immediately, given that midterms are not until 2026?  We can participate in special elections that have the potential to give Democrats the House of Representatives. Regardless of party or affiliation, if you don’t want all three federal branches controlled by one subset of the Republican Party, then this is the opportunity to change that.  Remember, the House of Representatives controls the budget. If you want to keep something funded – the SSA, the FDA, Homeland Security, etc., then it needs to go through this chamber.

Here are the elections:

The 2025 Florida’s 1st congressional district special election will be held on April 1, 2025 to fill a vacant seat held by Matt Gaetz. The Democratic Nominee is Gay Valimont – https://gayforcongress.com/get-involved

The 2025 Florida’s 6th congressional district special election will be held on April 1, 2025 to fill a vacant seat held by Michael Waltz.  The Democratic Nominee is Joshua Weil – https://joshweil.us/

The 2025 New York’s 21st congressional district special election is expected to occur when Elise Stefanik is confirmed by the Senate to the UN.  The date is to be determined.
The Democratic Nominee is Blake Gendebien – https://blakegendebienforcongress.com/

Please feel free to copy and spread this widely.

Thanks,

Rita Colafella
Watertown Resident