Robin announces her candidacy

I am so gratified and humbled to see so many here today to support me in this endeavor.

We are gathered in Rochester’s first park, where Frederick Douglass was a frequent orator, and in the shadow of so many things that make this community great.

For years now, I have worked with many of you to bring about the common sense changes needed to have a government that is responsive to people, as opposed to corporate interests.  I, like you, am tired of the dysfunction in Albany, and I am tired of a system of legislative horse trading where standing on one's principles is derided as naïve and impractical.

I stand here before you, an unlikely candidate for elected office.  I don’t come from the political establishment.  I truly am not a politician—much less a career politician like my opponent. As a mother, a community activist, and a business owner, I have undergone the struggles of an uncertain economic environment; and it is precisely that which makes me uniquely suited to represent the interests of everyday upstate New Yorkers in Albany. 

I will go to Albany to implement the common sense policies that will positively impact the lives of the people in our district.  I represent your challenges and frustrations with the status quo, but more importantly, I represent your hope that we can, through our efforts, change our system of government for the better.  As you believe in the strength of our community and our potential for positive growth, I am asking you to believe that we can, through the success of this campaign, move one step closer to realizing a government that is as strong as the community it serves.

That’s why today I am solemnly asking for your support for my candidacy for the 56th Senate District. 

We are at a historical crossroads for our community.  We can either decide to maintain the broken system that has overseen the loss of jobs and opportunities for our region, or we can decide that it’s time that our government reflect the can-do spirit of the people it represents.

The task before us is not easy.  This will be a vigorous race against a well-funded, entrenched politician.  I know, however, through history, and through my own experiences, that a small group of committed individuals can effect real change.  Imagine what we can do with all of the groups that are represented here today.
That’s why today I am asking that you join with me in gaining financial support for this campaign—and in return I promise that I will become an instrument of change to fix our broken campaign finance system.  I ask that you sign up to carry petitions and literature in support of my campaign, and in return, I promise that I will carry your message of positive change to Albany.  I ask that you make calls on my behalf to your friends and family, and in return, I promise to deliver a wakeup call to our legislators in Albany.

Thanks again everyone for being here to support me today.  I look forward to working with all of you over the months to come.