A Great Campaign

While we must still ensure that every vote is counted and despite making significant gains on paper ballots, based on the numbers we have seen so far is it clear that we will not see the outcome we hoped for. And out of respect for the voters and the principles on which our democratic republic is founded, we accept this outcome for the next two years.  

But we do so knowing that the coming months will be among the most difficult our region has ever faced. Politics aside, we will need serious leadership, working full-time, and unbeholden to the special interests that dominate the power structure in Albany and Washington. So while I acknowledge that in this time of crisis more voters chose to stay the political course for our region, there are 55,000 voters who asked for more for our region than we have seen in previous years, and I wish Mr. O’Mara Godspeed on the journey of serving all the voters of this district.

The proud history of our Democratic party is the coalition of city residents, farmers, progressive populists, and union members put together by FDR to unite those left to struggle during the Great Depression, and I want to congratulate my fellow “rust belt” Democrat upstate Senate candidates — Senators-elect Samra Brouk, Sean Ryan, Jeremy Cooney, and hopefully Michelle Hinchey and John Mannion– who are now taking seats to bring Roosevelt’s principles of freedom from want and freedom from fear into the upstate-downstate conversation. 

I thank my campaign team that put together a truly unprecedented and outstanding campaign, my friends and, most especially, my dear husband and children who have been with me down this long path, and all my supporters who put their time and herculean efforts into helping our region grow and thrive again.  

When the final votes are counted, of course, this election will be done, but their work is only a precursor to what will come, and I know they are all committed to making the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes the very best it can be. Today’s results are a disappointment, yet we know that this is a long game, and I am honored and look forward to all that we will achieve, together, in the coming months and years.

As every ball player knows — Good game, good game! And I’ll see you on the field next time.
Leslie 

Feeling Good Following Election Day, Leslie Danks Burke Turns to Participating in Count of Tens of Thousands of Ballots Still Outstanding

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — With remarks late last night expressing optimism about victory once all ballots are counted, Leslie Danks Burke, candidate for State Senate in the 58th district, is reminding voters that voters and candidates are likely to have to wait weeks for the final outcomes of local races given the immense number of absentee ballots. 
Absentee ballots will not begin to be counted for at least seven days, and in some cases not until the following week. With 33,339 absentee ballots mailed out to voters across this district alone, there is a significant portion of votes that are not being represented in yesterday’s total. Mail-in ballots that arrive up to a week after election day are valid, so the current return number will increase.
“For our military heroes serving overseas, our seniors, and anyone else who is choosing to vote by mail, we must make sure every vote is counted,” said Danks Burke. “As citizens in our democratic republic, we’re participating while our hardworking county Boards of Election count every single vote in the record-breaking turnout of this once-in-a-lifetime election. New York has a process, it’s a deliberative one, but my team and I will be there in all five counties every step of the way.”  
“This morning is about deep gratitude to every voter who participated in our democratic republic. We are steadfast in respecting the right of every citizen to be heard,” Danks Burke said.

Danks Burke has received an outpouring of support from community organizations, labor unions, and political leaders, including endorsements from the New York State AFL-CIO; NYSUT; the Working Families Party; U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer; EMILY’s List; Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes PAC; Eleanor’s Legacy; NOW NY; a bipartisan group of seven city, town, and village leaders; the New York State Public Employees Federation; New York Progressive Action Network;Equality NY PAC; the Tompkins-Cortland and Southern Tier Building and Construction Trades Councils; NYS Council of Sheet Metal Workers;the New York State Laborers Union; UAW Local 2300; IBEW Local 241; National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC; #VOTEPROCHOICE; New York State Young Democrats; and more.

Leslie Danks Burke is an attorney and a longtime advocate for education, healthcare, and rural economic development. She is the daughter of farmers and a mother who, together with her husband, is raising two children in this community. A Democrat, she previously ran for State Senate in the 58th in 2016, outraising incumbent Tom O’Mara by over $200,000 and receiving more voter support from outside her party than any other challenger to a sitting incumbent that year — on either side. Since 2016, Danks Burke has remained a powerful advocate for local community engagement and honest government.