This Labor Day brings lots of end-of-summer vacation activity to Seneca County. It is also a time to reflect on all the important work that happens here every day, and whether the people doing it are getting a fair shake.  Part of getting a fair shake is adequate health insurance for one's family. We need a representative in Congress who will support programs that provide health insurance so that people can choose to work for the myriad Seneca County employers who can't run health insurance themselves. That security is good for local business and residents who work. Part of getting a fair shake is a fair wage. The Federal government has been pushing so-called "right to work" laws, which are actually "right to underpay workers" laws. We need a representative in Congress who will not vote to enable laws that hurt constituents in Seneca County.  Respect for hard work matters to everyone doing it. Some of our leaders think that hard workers are suckers. We don...

 If you follow the campaign money it’s easy to see which candidate has the interests of NY24 at heart.  A look at itemized individual campaign contributions on the Federal Election Commission website shows only 17 percent of individual contributions to Claudia Tenney’s campaign come from within New York State, leaving 83% of her $1M+individual contribution war chest coming from outside the state.  This doesn’t even include over $1.2M in campaign contributions from Political Action Committees to her campaign.  Corporations expect something in return for the $1.2M – they count on her votes to support their interests, not the interests of NY24 residents. Contrast this with Alissa Ellman, whose individual contributions are the polar opposite – 90 percent within New York and only 10% outside. Ellman has also taken only $7,500 in PAC contributions- 0.6%   of Tenney’s $1.2M! It’s pretty clear which candidate is accountable to NY24 and which is more concerned by kee...

Lets be clear.     Politicians supported by large corporations and billionaires are bought and paid for.     The principle they’re acting on is greed – not the ideals of liberty, equality and fairness of our founders.     They speak and act in whatever ways support their generous donors.     We the people are, quite literally, PAYING THE PRICE for their money-bought morals.     At the gas pump.     At the grocery.     At the Doctor’s office.     So many people living paycheck-to-paycheck, scrimping to make ends meet.     So much hardship and worry.     And the money we pay for overpriced goods and services comes back to be used against us in the form of Corporate political contributions and Lobbyists!     The question is never what’s in the public interest, but how avarice can be packaged and sold as good deeds.   Our Representative in Congress needs to be a person genuinel...

  “Good Trouble Lives On” in Ovid and in towns across the US this weekend Six years after the passing of Congressman John Lewis , at least 600 communities across the nation this weekend host  "Good Trouble Lives On"  events to honor his legacy as a voting rights advocate and promote non-partisan voter engagement.  Indivisible Seneca members will gather in Ovid (Rt 414 and 96 corner) from 11 am to noon to remind people that our voting rights are important and are under attack . We will also be registering anyone how isn't registered to vote now.  In the face of continued efforts to intimidate voters and voting rights organizations away from engaging in our elections, communities are showing up with strength and courage in the spirit of the civil rights movement to protect our sacred freedom to vote. Our elections remain free and fair, but it’s up to all of us to make a plan to vote and to encourage our family members and friends to vote. We must also urge our lo...

Allisa Ellman will oppose Claudia Tenney in the November general election to represent for NY-24 in Congress. We need her to win in order to bring back the fundamental rule of law in America. Claudia Tenney has been aiding and abetting the criminals and scofflaws in this adminsitration, which caused great harm to the people in her district. 

Alissa Ellman won the Democratic primay on June 23rd. She now goes on to face the terrible Claudia Tenney in the general election in November.  A win for Ellman in the fall would benefit the district in many ways. The most important is that a D win in NY24 would very likely be part of a return of the Republicans to the minority. That switch would limit how much damage the House can do to democracy in the next Congress. Tenney has been all to willing to give up Congress' responsibility and authority under the Constitution, responsibilities that are essential to the checks and balances that make our government work.  Ellman would be a positive switch from a Member of Congress who consistently votes for things that hurt the district. Some of Tenney's most harmful votes are in reducing support for health care so that local hospitals have had to close. Many people have lost access to health insurance and can't pay.   Tenney voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which pro...

 This press release went to local media. In sync with thousands of “Take Back the Flag” protests nationwide, a crowd of local residents lined up along Seneca Falls’ main street on June 14th – despite the rain – to celebrate Flag Day and Pride Month and to protest Trump’s policies on his 80th birthday. Nicole Tedesche of FLX ROAR Feminist Group had invited three neighboring grassroots groups to co-host the event with her: Indivisible Seneca, Indivisible Cayuga County, and Wayne Action for Racial Equality (WARE). Collectively they have several thousand local members who are all volunteers. For over a year Nicole, who grew up in Seneca Falls, has organized protests nearly every Saturday afternoon in the same spot – in front of Women’s Rights National Historical Park. “ This tyranny won’t stop Americans,” she said. “We The People are resisting to defend our Constitution and country. End the war on women!”   Thomas Bjorkman of Varick is a steering member of Indivisible Seneca. Thei...

  Early voting began today, June 13. The official election day for the primary is Tuesday June 23, 2026. All Democrats should vote. A strong turnout will help determine the best candidate in the campaign against Tenney. It will also show that there is a lot of interest in replacing Tenney with a better respresentative. You can find all the information on early voting hours and election day polling places at https://scdemocrats.org/voting-information . You can also find profiles of the candidates. Alissa Ellman has  has been a soldier, a mother, a special ed teacher, a cancer survivor, a worker at the VA, and the target of cuts by DOGE. In all these roles, Claudia Tenney has made her life more difficult. She has learned how to be a quality candidate for Congress.  Diana Kastenbaum has had a career as both an actor, and CEO of a tool-and-die company. She is really sharp on policy for many areas that Congress votes on.  

Alyssa Ellman and Diane Kastenbaum are running in the Democratic primary seeking to replace the dreadful Claudia Tenney as the member of Congress for New York's 24th Congressional District  Tenney has not only been a poor representative for her constituents, but she has been an active enabler of the attacks on American democracy. It is time for her to go.  Ellman and Kastenbaum will debate at the Smith Opera House in Geneva at 6:30 pm on Wednesday June 3. If you are interested in a particular topic, submit a question or topic in advance via this link:  Submit a Question . They'll be shared with the debate moderator, R. Eric Barnes of Hobart & William Smith Colleges.

ENGAGE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT Seneca County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, May 12 @ 6PM Most of us, in our day-to-day lives, don’t pay attention   to how Towns and Counties do the hard work of governance.  These Town and County Boards are where people   of different perspectives negotiate about what roads to pave, what services to   provide, how to provide them, what taxes are appropriate, and a whole lot   more.   These meetings are also windows into   how State and Federal policies “trickle down” to effect our communities.  Medicare cuts, for instance – made at the Federal   level – effect operations and budgets of hospitals and clinics in our Seneca County and potentially impact the health of those least able to pay. Or we can raise local taxes to maintain a safety net when Federal programs are terminated. At these meetings you’ll hear presentations from groups   and business addressing a vast range of issues.  ...

Many people ask how best to follow up on the enthusiasm from No Kings Day to drive the wanna-be king from power. Here in Seneca County, we have some specific opportunities that fit the governance and politics.  Indivisible Seneca primarily wants a member of Congress who resists the autocratic moves of this administration. Claudia Tenney has shown no sign of giving up her complicity with this offense against American values. Therefore, she needs to be replaced in the election this November.  Preserving the current momentum revitalizing democracy must be maintained even after November.  Here are some actions that Seneca County residents can take. They are appropriate for Democrats, Republicans, unaffiliated (independent) registered voters. Some are appropriate even for those not registered to vote. Defeat congresswoman Claudia Tenney in NY24.    This is a tall order in a district gerrymandered to produce a significant majority of votes for the Republican cand...

We issued this press release to local media.   On Saturday, March 28, Indivisible Seneca held a peaceful rally in Ovid as part of the third national "No Kings Day.”  Over 120 local residents braved 11° wind chill in this village of 550 to show that rural Americans are distressed by the extreme antidemocratic actions of this administration and reject its authoritarian overreach. Similar protests took place in nearby towns -- including Seneca Falls, Geneva, Watkins Glen, and Canandaigua, and in every state. NoKings.org reported that over 3,200 sites had registered.   Participants sported signs that expressed common human values as well as support for the democracy that the country is founded on, but under attack by government actions.   Some noted that this is a republic, with an inherent anti-monarchy spirit, “King-free since 1776” and “Save the Republic" The patriotic mood was evident in “Yes to patriotism, no to kings”.  Many showed the rural i...

  Indivisible Seneca is organizing a No Kings Day action in Ovid. It is at the intersection of Routes 96 and 96A  starting at 11 am.  This event is to show Seneca County and the nation that we have patriots who are intent of keeping this country a Republic despite our president's desires to be a king-like autocrat.  Please register at Mobilize.us , so that organizers know how many people to expect and to get more specific instructions.  Please park only in the designated areas.  Bring signs with pro-democracy messages.  See below for ideas.  Use letters that are about 6" high if you want motorists to read them.  The National No Kings team makes the purpose clear. When our families are under attack and costs are pushing people to the brink, silence is not an option. We will defend ourselves and our communities against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence. On March 28th, rise up, take to the streets, and say it loud...

Save America Act is voter suppression The Save America Act, passed by the House of Representatives and strongly supported by  Claudia  Tenney, is a voter registration bill  that  wants to take  away State’s rights to manage their own elections and voters.   The  proposed  voter registration  process   requires ,  as proof of citizenship ,   birth certificates, passports and, for those who take a spouse’s name, the legal Marriage Certificate to prove the  name  change.   It’s a  costly process many cannot afford and heavily tips the scales towards those with  mobility,  money ,  tim e,  and  transportation  necessary  to get over the hurdles.  Further, t he  stated purpose of the legislation is based on a false premise - that  non-citizen voters pose a threat to election integrity across the nation, and only Federal intervention can correct the problem.  ...

The American Dream  was built on Opportunity for All: the chance for  anyone to work hard and have a better life. But Claudia Tenney and the GOP Congress shattered that dream. She has given us Tax breaks for billionaires Tariffs raising prices Cuts to our hospitals Higher healthcare costs Hungry children Fewer jobs Hurting schools Elderly in poverty It doesn’t have to be this way. Bring back the American Dream! We can have it back, but we must vote Claudia Tenney out of office and  elect someone who will work for us.   Alissa Ellman  is one alterantive. She says, "Alissa is running to make the district affordable, especially to families. Alissa will expand access to childcare, making sure families never have to choose between earning good wages and being a good parent. Alissa will also work to make sure to aid small businesses, invest in home repair programs, and expand the low-income housing tax credit." Diana Kastenbaum  is another. She says tha...

  A Time to Remember & A Time to Sing   Vigil, Candlelighting Ceremony, and Group Sing WHY : To honor those who died in ICE detention or while peacefully protesting since January 2025.   WHEN & WHERE : Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 5:30 pm Walking Vigil. Meet at Lafayette Park on the corner of Porter St & 4th St, Watkins Glen. Walk two blocks to St James Episcopal Church, 112 6th St. Please bring battery-operated candles.  5:45 pm: Arrival at the church. Those who choose not to walk can come directly to the church.  At the church, a candle-lighting ceremony for each victim followed by song.  For more information, contact the organizer, Marsha Smith of Hector Indivisible < hectorindivisible2025@gmail.com >. 

  In recent months we have seen horrific violence perpetrated by Federal employees in ICE.  Their violence has killed five Americans to date, in each case someone doing nothing wrong.  Many more Americans have been wounded by gunfire, vehicular ramming or beating by people who work on behalf of the Federal government.  Thousands have been illegally abducted. Without due process, these are kidnappings not legal arrests.  Claudia Tenney has issued press releases , made Twitter posts and done press interviews defending this violence.  Claudia Tenney presents the agents of ICE as representing the law, where in fact they are the ones breaking the law. In so doing, she is promoting a lawless society and violence by the state against its own people.   We at indivisible Seneca want  all law enforcement agencies operating on US soil bound by the same protections of due process.  This includes ICE. Why won’t Tenney try to protect us from this ov...

The third in the series of Nonviolence Workshops organized by the Trumansburg Area Committee for Social Equity is this Sunday. The principles can be applied to some of the new worrisome public situations, should those arise in our community. Bystander Intervention Training SUNDAY JANUARY 25TH 1-3 PM At the Fellowship Hall, 69 E Main St. Trumansburg. The Advocacy Center of Tompkins County , a resource center specializing in  preventing and responding to domestic and sexual violence, will be leading a  training on Bystander Intervention.  They will  discuss what it means to intervene as  a bystander,  detail the five “D’s” of bystander intervention as described by the  national organization Right to Be ,  lead a discussion about potential outcomes  and risks of taking action when witnessing harassment in a multitude of situations.  Resources and ways to get involved will be shared.

The American Dream  was built on Opportunity for All: the chance for  anyone to work hard and have a better life. But Claudia Tenney and the GOP shattered that dream. She has given us Tax breaks for billionaires Tariffs raising prices Cuts to our hospitals Higher healthcare costs Hungry children Fewer jobs Hurting schools Elderly in poverty It doesn’t have to be this way. Bring back the American Dream! We can have it back, but we must vote Claudia Tenney out of office and elect someone who will work for us.   Alissa Ellman is one alterantive. She says, "Alissa is running to make the district affordable, especially to families. Alissa will expand access to childcare, making sure families never have to choose between earning good wages and being a good parent. Alissa will also work to make sure to aid small businesses, invest in home repair programs, and expand the low-income housing tax credit." Diana Kastenbaum  is another. She says that, as a business own...

  May this holiday season be a time of reflection, gratitude and renewed goodwill toward family, friends, and country. Peace, charity and goodwill are wishes for most Americans, yet they are hard to find in today's political environment. Reflecting on ways to find and encourage those who demonstrate them can be a rewarding holiday activity.