Letter to the Editor: Jim Barber is best for the 51st District

My name is Emily Adams and I am the chair of the Democratic Committee in the Town of Caroline as well as Chair of Tompkins County Progressives and a representative to the NY State Democratic Committee. I am writing to endorse NY Senate candidate Jim Barber and to urge my fellow residents to volunteer for his campaign, to make a financial donation if at all possible, and naturally to vote for him (if they live in Dryden, Caroline, Groton or Danby).

Jim is an unusual candidate for the 51^st district, a conservative area which has been represented by Republican Senator Jim Seward for the past 34 years. Jim Barber is a Democrat with relevant experience in government, having served 7 years on the USDA Farm Agency under President Obama. He has also served in elected office, on his local school board. In other words, Jim is not running for office on a whim, to add variety to his resume. He knows what public service is about.

More importantly to constituents of the 51^st outside of Tompkins County, Jim is a farmer and small businessman. He looks the part and he dresses the part, putting people at ease. He points out to them, in simple practical terms: “The Democrats are in the majority in Albany now, so if you want services and attention to come to the 51^st, it makes sense to vote for a representative who will be at the table when the majority meets.”

The issues that impact residents of the 51^st are largely non-partisan. We all want rural broadband, lower property taxes, a clean environment and an energy policy that won’t destroy our farmlands and rural economy. Jim supports these policies and talks about his values in a way many can appreciate, from both sides of the political spectrum.

Jim Seward is retiring this year, giving Democrats a singular opportunity to pick up another seat in Albany. Jim Barber would be one of only a handful of upstate Democrats in the State Senate – and the only farmer.

It is difficult for Jim to travel the entire breadth of the district, especially during the pandemic. Holding meet & greet events and traditional fundraisers is out of the question. So I hope that you will reach out to his campaign to get involved! His campaign can be contacted through his website (www.jimbarberforsenate.org).

Emily Adams

488 Valley Rd.

Brooktondale, NY 14817

607-708-0342