Happy New Year, Republicans of Tompkins County!

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this column are those of author Zachary Winn and are not representative of the thoughts or opinions of Tompkins Weekly. 

As President-elect Trump’s second inauguration approaches, 2025 is already shaping up to be eventful. New Year’s Day saw a terror attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans and a vehicle explosion at the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. With strange details emerging and authorities claiming these incidents are unrelated, their timing suggests troubling signs for the year ahead. These events follow an alleged “Bird Flu” outbreak suspiciously surfacing just before the inauguration. Post-COVID, I no longer trust health authorities and will never wear a mask again under any circumstances.

While the Democrats continue to deny President Trump’s mandate, the fact is the 2024 election was decisive for Republicans. Kamala Harris underperformed Joe Biden’s 2020 results in every county nationwide, and voters in virtually all regions moved significantly to the right. Democrats now find themselves in a difficult position, needing to appeal to moderates without angering their leftist base. Much of the Republican Party’s growth has come from disillusioned Democrats, alienated by their former party’s extremist policies and rhetoric. As the left focuses on retaking Congress in the 2026 midterms, Republicans must prioritize voter registration and outreach. The Democrats’ setbacks in 2024 were substantial but not fatal. Their desperation makes them all the more dangerous.

Among the issues facing Trump’s second term, enforcing immigration laws must remain a priority. Just before Christmas, a horrific crime underscored the stakes: a woman sleeping on a New York City subway was burned alive, allegedly by Sebastian Zapeta, an illegal immigrant deported during Trump’s first term. Zapeta re-entered the country due to a border left wide open by Biden and committed this heinous act—literally fanning the flames as his victim died an agonizing death. Zapeta is just one of millions who have entered the country illegally during the Biden administration, their presence subsidized by taxpayer dollars and facilitated by Democrat policies. Mass deportations are not an act of cruelty, but self preservation.

The sanctuary laws protecting individuals like Zapeta in New York City are mirrored here in Tompkins County. Ithaca remains a Sanctuary City in a Sanctuary County in a Sanctuary State. As the industry of “resistance” to Trump reemerges, travelers in Ithaca should expect the same disruptive protests, roadblocks, and street takeovers that have plagued the streets under various, shifting pretenses for over a decade. Local leaders must condemn these illegal acts of intimidation when they occur.

With the 2024 elections concluded, the 2025 local election cycle is just around the corner. Petitioning for local races begins soon, and several Tompkins County legislators are expected to step down. Additionally, redistricting has created two new legislative seats, opening the door for a wave of new candidates. Unfortunately, too often, Republicans hesitate to run, leaving races uncontested and decided in Democratic primaries. This must change.

Republicans have an opportunity to expand their influence in the legislature, but this requires bold individuals willing to endure the challenges of public service. If you’ve ever considered running for local office—whether for the Legislature, Common Council, or School Board—now is the time. Democrats, despite their internal divisions, are never short on candidates. Republicans must meet this challenge with equal resolve.

There is also reason for optimism. The ongoing crisis at the Asteri building is finally receiving the attention it deserves. Recent reports from Tompkins Weekly, The Cornell Daily Sun and outreach worker Richard Rivera have exposed the building’s dire conditions, including frequent police calls, rampant substance abuse, and unsanitary environments. Photos and video of the building sent to the Legislature prompted an inspection by Tompkins County Environmental Health. Trash filled with used syringes and other hazardous materials was found to be overwhelming the building’s infrastructure. Asteri’s owner, Vecino Group, has been cited by Tompkins County Environmental Health for failing to properly manage the building’s waste.

The crisis is now too much to ignore. One legislator has described witnessing the deplorable conditions firsthand, and another is now calling for a review of Vecino Group’s tax abatement at the January meeting of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency. Addressing this crisis, like any other, depends on leaders having the courage and will to act.

The same principle applies to our party. Whether tackling local issues or broader challenges, 2025 is an opportunity for Republicans to offer a real alternative to the status quo. If you want to be part of the change, now is the time to get involved. Visit Facebook.com/TompkinsGOP/ to learn how you can help.