One of the most watched races in the 2024 election just took another turn. On Tuesday, November 28th, Congressional Candidate Liz Whitmer Gereghty called Mondaire Jones to notify him that she would be suspending her campaign and endorsing him in the race to represent New York’s 17th Congressional District, a decision that came nearly seven months after she launched her bid.

“I remain committed to doing everything possible to elect Democrats across the board in 2024, especially here in NY-17. Uniting our party and focusing our resources on taking back the House is critical to fighting back against the radical extremism plaguing our politics. In that spirit, I endorse Mondaire Jones’ campaign for Congress,” Liz Whitmer Gereghty said.

Gereghty’s decision to end her campaign avoids a messy and potentially expensive primary in the Hudson Valley, even though she received endorsements from groups including EMILY’s List and Elect Democratic Women.

Mondaire released a statement confirming the news that Gereghty called him to inform him she was suspending her campaign.

“Last night, Liz Whitmer Gereghty called to tell me she is suspending her campaign. I am honored to announce that she is endorsing me and throwing her full support behind my effort to defeat Mike Lawler, retake the House majority, and save American democracy from the threats posed by MAGA extremism,” former congressman Mondaire Jones said. “I am grateful for Liz’s contributions on the Katonah-Lewisboro school board and applaud her for stepping up to be a candidate in this important race. Over the next year, I look forward to working together to once again give the Lower Hudson Valley the representation it deserves in Congress.”

In 2022, CD-17 was one of the New York Congressional seats that flipped red and helped the Republicans gain a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. Former DCCC Chair Sean Patrick-Maloney decided to run in CD-17 instead of defending his seat in CD-18 after redistricting, forcing Jones to run in the state’s 10th Congressional District to avoid challenging Maloney. As a result, both Democrats lost and Republican Mike Lawler won the CD-17 seat. Now Mondaire is running to reclaim his seat back for the Democrats. Democrats are heavily targeting many of those incumbents as they look to recapture control of the lower chamber.

Mondaire Jones is building a grassroots campaign to defeat Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th Congressional District. In his first quarter in the race, he raised $1.15 million and has earned the support of nearly 150 in-district and national leaders and organizations, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Representative Pat Ryan (D-NY), the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, the Equality PAC, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, the Westchester County Democratic Committee, and the Rockland County Democratic Committee.

Mondaire Jones, who made history as the nation’s first openly gay Black member of Congress, was among a group including the Human Rights Campaign, LGBTQ Victory Fund, and Equality PAC, who strongly condemned Mike Lawler for his support Mike Johnson, a right-wing extremist as Speaker of the House.

And then there were two: Jones has to get past former Bedford Supervisor MaryAnn Carr in the Democratic primary to get a showdown with Lawler in the general election. Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball all rate the New York congressional race as a “toss-up.”

My dear Democrats, let’s have a heart-to-heart! The second step to ensuring we turn CD16 Republican like CD17 is through racial division through regressive political strategy. Forfeiting another member of the Congressional Black Caucus for a white representative is a regressive policy across racial lines. This is what a challenge from George Latimer represents. 

We aspire to be on a path of true progression, and we refuse to let governance slide back to the ways of the past. People of color deserve to represent us; it’s non-negotiable if progression is our mission—there is no turning back! MAGA might represent yesteryear, but we’re after a party that champions progress across the board. No settling for Liberalism or Neoliberalism—we’re aiming for a nation that values freedom, justice, and liberty for all. 

The damage caused by white, male-dominated leadership is evident in energy policy and the struggle to create a fair healthcare system free from the clutches of greedy insurance and medical giants. We demand women’s autonomy over their bodies and urge Democrats to lead the charge for wage equality, ensuring fair pay for all—no more disparities! 

We need a party that pioneers new policy territories, and frankly, white male leadership isn’t cutting it. They don’t represent our needs; they can’t, not without us, and it’s time they step up to the plate. It’s part of the problem—the privilege of power without shouldering the responsibility to tackle these crucial issues. Where does this leave people of color? It’s time for a change—a change rooted in genuine action and representation. 

Now, let’s talk about understanding race equity and policy innovation. Imagine someone at the intersection of being white and male, trying to comprehend these concepts without facing the weight of systemic oppression. Their race and gender often grant them a free pass on showcasing innovation and serving credibility and resources on a silver platter, oftentimes without any accountability. That’s the epitome of white male privilege. 

For Black, indigenous folks, people of color, and women, it’s a different ball game. Credibility and resources are often denied. Respect? Not freely given. White women might get a bit more, but let’s discuss women of color—their respect often hinges on their proximity to whiteness. 

But here’s the thing: people of color, especially women of color, possess a superpower. Yes, you heard me right! We’ve had to navigate systems not designed for us, developing a unique ability to see through political games. It’s like we’ve got a built-in radar, spotting those power moves favoring white men at everyone else’s expense. 

Now, let’s get real about leadership and privilege. It’s about guiding, supporting, and following those who rightfully earn their positions through a democratic process, not subjugating them due to your privilege. That’s systemic racism at play. 

When those privileged by their white race and male gender come seeking advice on issues concerning marginalized communities, it’s a delicate balance for leaders from these communities. It gets intricate, trust me. Meanwhile, their white stakeholders often don’t put in the work to build relationships within these communities because they already have a rapport with leadership from those communities. 

Even this class of leaders and advisors, those who are people of color, are navigating these white male-dominated systems. Sometimes, they’re even at odds with their own community’s needs. It’s a tough balancing act, one that no one should have to endure, but here we are. We saw Rep. Jones tackle this at the congressional level, and now it seems history is repeating itself with the potential challenge to Rep. Bowman by the greatest County Executive Westchester has ever had. 

The transition from a Democratically held CD-17 to a Republican-held CD-17 congressional seat in Congress and its connections to strategic moves within white male dominance need a close examination. Sean Patrick Maloney’s shift and its ripple effects highlight 

these power dynamics, questioning the motives behind actions that often wield privilege against marginalized communities. 

And when implicit bias shows up, it’s not just a passing moment; it’s your duty to address it, especially if you want to maintain strong relationships with people of color and other identities, Democrats. Turning a blind eye? That just leads to being explicitly biased. We’re sharp at spotting these biases and figuring out what to do with that information. I’ll dive deeper into that in another article. 

Now, let’s revisit the steps that led to CD 17’s shift from blue to red. It’s rooted in racial power dynamics, something not everyone sees clearly. But picture this: if Rep. Bowman, the incumbent congressman, faces a challenge from someone like George Latimer, the county executive, it’s a stark display of power and privilege acting against a black man. There’s no room for misinterpretation there. This applies to Sean Patrick Maloney and would echo in George Latimer’s case. 

The weariness of white male dominance is felt, no matter the intersecting identities. For SPM, it was white, male, and gay; for George, it’s white, male, pushing a regressive agenda. 

What we’re chasing is progress—a future embracing freedom, justice, and liberty for all, not a step backward. We’re in pursuit of a party aligned with these values, pushing for universal healthcare, forward-thinking energy policies, women’s autonomy, and other domestic issues that are very real and very dangerous. 

Leadership isn’t just about holding a position; it’s about recognizing privilege gaps and the hurdles faced by marginalized groups. It’s about dismantling systems favoring a select few. Representation? Crucial! Those from marginalized backgrounds understand the power dynamics at play; they’ve navigated systems not made for them. 

The story of CD 17’s transition from Democratic to Republican is a classic example of strategic moves rooted in white male dominance. Sean Patrick Maloney’s shuffle and its aftermath shed light on these power dynamics, urging us to question actions often using privilege against marginalized communities. 

Ultimately, what’s needed here is change—a departure from the dominance of a single demographic and a move toward inclusive governance. Let’s keep this conversation alive and work toward a future that truly embraces our diversity and upholds our cherished ideals.

[Editor’s Note: This is part two of a series by Tasha Young. If you missed it also check out Part One]

As a devoted advocate for humanity, I find myself compelled to share a tale that unfolds like a dramatic narrative—a foreshadowing of the transformation of Congressional District 16 from blue to red, echoing the fate of Congressional District 17. I stand as a witness, having experienced this political metamorphosis firsthand.

In the intricate dance of politics, let’s step through the few stages that marked this transition. Step one: Race, Equity, Division. The incumbent of CD 16, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, is a trailblazer as the first-ever black representative, succeeding Eliot Engel, a predecessor who held the seat for an astonishing three decades. As an avid supporter of Congressman Engel, my satisfaction with the status quo was palpable, my political engagement limited to mere surface-level appreciation and relationships with other supporters. Rep. Bowman, at the time of his being a candidate, was unknown to me. 

It wasn’t that I had reservations about my then-congressman; it was simply that the nuances of foreign affairs and the intricate relationship between a representative and their constituency were foreign concepts in my household and community. We paid more attention to domestic affairs than many in CD16 do. The practices of engaging and interfacing with the workings of Congress remained a mystery, overshadowed by more familiar aspects of community life and local government. Since I have known Representative Bowman, I feel like I have access to Washington because he makes sure his constituents do. 

In 2020, the political landscape underwent a seismic shift as Jamal Bowman unseated the long-standing representative in CD 16. This change, however, was not isolated. I also found myself supporting a friend, Mondaire Jones, during this period. Another brilliant challenger, a black and openly gay man, emerged out of a field of 10 candidates to also become the first-ever Black person to represent Congressional District 17. This representative was a friend and I supported him above women and believed in his leadership and I still do. Go, Mondaire, Go!

These history makers both saw their constituents through Donald J. Trump, COVID-19, George Floyd, and Black Lives Matter, an insurrection in their first six days in office, unprecedented funding votes and subsequent fund allocation in the district, and the devastating impact of having congressional lines redrawn and having to defend their seats with a new constituent base. They have both legislated in a manner that brings more of their constituents into the decision-making process and they have delivered!

The crux of this narrative lies in not only the awakening—a realization that my support for a candidate was shaped by personal interactions and local perceptions rather than a comprehensive understanding of their political stances. But when people are represented by someone who broadens the coalition and serves with a humanity-first agenda more people get to participate. The issue of race and equity is important here. 

We need representatives in Congress to expand equity, inclusion, and innovation. For those who do not know the story of CD 17, it is a horrid display of power and privilege at the hands of the former leader of the National Democratic Party who happened to be white and had devastating effects on the community in 17. We lost a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and we lost our beloved Mondaire, then that former leader lost the seat to a Republican. What a huge disappointment.

Recent history can repeat itself and we can lose black representatives and lose domestically as Democrats if we go the way of the past. We must move past minority rule. We must move past white dominance.

The challenge lay in bridging the gap between constituent and representative, a divide accentuated by unfamiliarity with the broader aspects of governance. Rep. Bowman is doing this with groups, primarily groups led by people of color and religious minorities, and that is needed. This is a good thing. He is forwarding racial equity, not racial division. We need this.

As we reflect on the evolution of these congressional districts, it becomes evident that civic education at the grassroots level is paramount. Empowering individuals to comprehend the dynamics of government and fostering a culture of active participation are essential steps in fortifying our democracy.

The journey from blue to red is not merely a shift in political hues; it is a testament to the devolving awareness and engagement of a community. The current representative, Mike Lawler, has closed-door community conversations and this does not ensure a thriving democracy. We must cultivate a society where every citizen is equipped with the knowledge and tools to actively participate in shaping the future of their congressional districts.

If we continue to be divided as Democrats we will get what we deserve. Division, no equity and it will be most apparent across racial lines.