To the Editor:

It is clear that we only have one possible choice for Congress and for the New York State Senate: Paul Tonko and Michelle Hinchey, respectively.

In a time when so many deride science, Congressman Tonko has been steadfast in his support for fact-based solutions to climate change and gun violence. Congressman Tonko also supports the Affordable Care Act and expanding health-care access, a particularly important issue during a pandemic during which so many have lost their jobs and their employer-sponsored health insurance.

Likewise, Ms. Hinchey hopes to expand access to health care and lower the cost of prescription medications. Her background makes her particularly cognizant of the struggles that families face when dealing with enormous medical bills. She is also passionate about expanding access to rural broadband (another issue that is of great importance when so many people are working or attending classes from home), protecting family farms, and protecting the environment.

In contrast, their opponents, Liz Joy and Rich Amedure, respectively, appear to be campaigning primarily by trying to instill fear. Ms. Joy supports the Trump agenda, which includes dismantling the ACA, which would result in the loss of health insurance for many and which would be disastrous to those individuals.

During a recent candidates’ forum, Mr. Amedure referred to universal health care as a “pie in the sky” idea. Neither offers substantive proposals to solve major problems; both are relying on instilling fear and suggesting that they can keep our communities safe from some amorphous enemy that does not exist.

Please join me in voting for Paul Tonko for Congress and for Michelle Hinchey for NYS Senate.

Jill Loew

Guilderland