Crime and abortion on many New Yorkers minds, on election day

Record ID: 1696613

  • Title: Crime and abortion on many New Yorkers minds, on election day
  • Date: 8th November 2022
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 8, 2022) (REUTERS) EMPIRE STATE BUILDING / NEW YORK CITY TRAFFIC VARIOUS VOTE HERE NYC SIGNS OUTSIDE MANHATTAN POLLING CENTER AT BARUCH COLLEGE, SIRENS SIGN FOR NEW YORK CITY BOARD OF ELECTIONS ON POLLING STATION / VOTING AREA VARIOUS OF VOTER ON LINE WITH NEW YORK REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, LEE ZELDIN, PAMPHLET VOTE NYC
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2022 18:39
  • Keywords: Democrats Kathy Hochul Lee Zeldin NYC election New York New York governor's race Republicans abortion crime midterm elections
  • Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • City: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Government/Politics,United States,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001791708112022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Manhattan voters, like so many Americans taking part in these midterm elections, are being asked to decide between candidates that have been particularly zeroed-in on the topics of crime and abortion.
    Unexpected focus has shifted to the state's competitive governor's race. New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul's lead in the polls over Republican challenger Lee Zeldin has shrunk to single digits as Zeldin has campaigned on crime and controversial bail reform laws.
    No Republican has won statewide office in New York in 20 years. 
    Interviewed outside the polling station at Baruch College on the east side of Manhattan, local voters were enthusiastic about activist politicians. 
    "From Zeldin's interviews, he gives the impression he wants to do something about crime, while the governor at the moment doesn't seem to understand what everybody's problem is with this crime," said Jack Crosley, a senior clerk in the New York City court system.
    "As a woman, I feel like it's really important to protect our health and those who can't help themselves," said newly naturalized U.S. citizen, Lori Stefanelli.
    Competitive governor contests are on the ballot in about a dozen states in Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections, with outcomes that hold far-reaching consequences on issues such as abortion, voting rights and guns.
    In their interviews with Reuters, New Yorkers were of opposing minds on just how dire the crime situation is.
    "I see it every day on the subway. I've actually seen, you know, people chasing and attempting to push. I've seen it," Crosley said.
    "I think the crime issue is overblown," said New York consultant, Harish Natarajan. "It's really, you know, a lot of rhetoric and fear-mongering. I think that if we take appropriate steps to protect our ourselves, and we'll be safe."
    The high stakes have brought increased money and attention to the state-level races, which typically get overshadowed in midterm elections by the fight for control of Congress.
    Democrats are fighting to keep control of governorships in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan to maintain the power to veto any legislation by the Republican-controlled legislatures that might curb abortion rights and voting access.
    In all, 36 of the country's 50 states will elect governors on Tuesday, with the majority safely in either Democratic or Republican hands. Republicans hold 28 governor seats nationally, compared to 22 Democratic governorships.
    Beyond governors' mansions, of course, Americans were also casting final ballots in closely fought elections that will determine whether Republicans win control of Congress, which would give them the power to block much of President Joe Biden's agenda in the next two years.
    Motivated by concerns about high inflation and crime voters were poised to usher in an era of divided government in Washington, despite warnings from Democrats about the erosion of abortion rights and the undermining of democratic norms.
    Thirty-five Senate seats and all 435 House of Representatives seats are on the ballot. Republicans are widely favored to pick up the five seats they need to control the House, while the Senate - currently split 50-50 with Democrats holding the tie-breaking vote - could come down to a quartet of toss-up races in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia and Arizona.
    When interviewed by Reuters, New Yorkers were sticking with the incumbent.
    "I guess I'd have to go with the Democrats just because they're there right now and they still have time to do something for us," said Sydacia Bunbury, a Long Island resident and employee of the New York City Education Department.
    (Production by: Andrew Hofstetter and Dan Fastenberg)
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