State Senate Candidate Jeremy Joseph's Statement on Senator Anna Kaplan's Disturbing Attacks Against His Campaign

Thursday, March 17, 2022

LONG ISLAND, NY — In response to unfounded, disturbing and disrespectful statements made by State Sen. Anna Kaplan about his campaign, State Senate candidate Jeremy Joseph released the following statement: 

"This past week, State Sen. Anna Kaplan sent out a fundraising email characterizing our grassroots campaign as being, 'by all accounts,' motivated by antisemitism. Antisemitism is a very real and serious issue, and it’s critical we stand against hate in all forms. For her to weaponize antisemitism for political and financial gain is egregious. It only serves to divide us and makes our communities less safe. 

“As a member of Long Island United To Transform Policing & Community Safety, I have fought for stronger hate crime classification and monitoring programs in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Further, as someone who has been physically attacked because of the color of their skin, I take racism and hate crimes very seriously and will continue to work to make sure all people in this district feel safe.

“And, to be very clear, the incumbent knows why I’m running. As her constituent, I’ve met with her office countless times.

“I’ve met with her about the New York Health Act — a bill she once promised to support — because a healthcare system that is driven by a private insurance industry does not provide healthcare. It provides profits for corporations. She did not and still does not support it.

“I’ve met with her to promote bills from the Invest In Our NY package, because the tax code in New York state does not make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, and working families are suffering as a result. She did not support them.

“I’ve met with her to advocate for multiple bills centered around racial justice– Fair & Timely Parole, Elder Parole, etc. –that would address systemic issues in our policing and prison systems. She did not support any of them.

“I believe that I can speak for myself and many other community members: We’re tired of begging Sen. Kaplan to do the right thing. 

“New Yorkers are facing very real problems coming out of this pandemic, and there is no shortage of issues to address. I hope the senator will commit to substantive debate and cease these harmful accusations.”