We need State government to work for everyone, not just the wealthy and the well-connected.

That’s why I’m running to be our next State Senator.

 
 
 
 
 
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Why I’m Running For State Senate

I love the Hudson Valley. Growing up in Nyack, I know the beauty and opportunity that Rockland and Westchester counties have to offer. Fresh air, clean water, safe neighborhoods, and an excellent education for our kids - these are some of the many reasons why families choose to make their homes here. Our communities represent the American dream to so many families. These are the values of the Hudson Valley, and that’s what I’ll fight for as our next State Senator. 

Although Rockland and Westchester remain wonderful places to live, our region faces many challenges. Property taxes are some of the highest in the nation. Rents are rising rapidly, and healthcare costs are an enormous burden on many families. We’re struggling to retain businesses. School districts like East Ramapo and Ossining aren’t getting the education funding they deserve. Commuters in Rockland lack access to convenient mass transit. And now at a time when people are struggling more than they have in nearly a century because of a pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis - it is time that we take a stand and fight for the people of Rockland and Westchester counties.

It is time that our representatives in state government do more to help residents of Rockland and Westchester. It’s time to make New York not just a beautiful and prosperous place to live, but an affordable one, too. It’s time to make New York work for everyone, not just the wealthy and the well-connected. 

Voters elected a strong Democratic majority in the State Senate in 2018, and in 2019 we saw the results: a permanent property tax cap, landmark action on climate change and reproductive health, major steps to curb the price of prescription drugs, passage of the Child Victims Act, important gun safety reforms, decriminalization of marijuana, major election reforms, and more protections for LGBTQ New Yorkers. Now it’s time to continue on the path of bold change and give the people of Rockland and Westchester the future they deserve by delivering on property tax reform, making healthcare affordable for all New Yorkers, and making the mega-millionaires and billionaires finally pay their fair share for the services that we all benefit from and use. I’ve stood up to special interests even when I knew it would cost me votes, and in Albany I’ll never back down from fighting for ALL the residents of our district.

I started my career as an elementary school teacher. I’ve worked in the private sector as a regional planner and researcher into government efficiency. I’ve served our community as a staffer to a Town Supervisor and to two members of Congress. I’m currently an elected Village Trustee in Nyack and have been working as Legislative Director for State Senator James Skoufis. 

Now, I’m stepping up to serve the people of the 38th District in Clarkstown, Orangetown, Ossining, and Ramapo as our next state senator, and fighting to make sure that New York works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

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Local elected official.

Legislative Director to a State Senator.

Hudson Valley regional planner.

Elementary school teacher.

Elijah has the experience we need in our next State Senator.

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Meet Elijah

Elijah Reichlin-Melnick was born and raised in Nyack, NY and has lived in Rockland County for almost his whole life. 

Over the past decade, Elijah has steadily built his legislative experience by working at all levels of government. After beginning his career as an elementary school teacher, Elijah returned to Rockland and spent nearly five years as a constituent service specialist and district representative for Congressman Eliot Engel and Congresswoman Nita Lowey. 

Elijah currently serves as the Legislative Director for State Senator James Skoufis, who represents parts of Rockland, Orange, and Ulster Counties. Through his role as Legislative Director, Elijah has gained first-hand experience with the legislative process in Albany, so he will hit the ground running as the next State Senator for the 38th District. 

While completing his Master's degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University, Elijah worked as the Executive Assistant for Orangetown Town Supervisor Andy Stewart, assisting in municipal management, constituent services, and policy development.. Since 2017, Elijah has served Nyack as an elected member of the Village Board of Trustees, where he has prioritized keeping the Village budget under the State property tax cap, enhancing government services, and standing up against over-development. … Learn More

Read Elijah's Story
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Elijah has been endorsed by over 80 current and former elected officials, candidates, community leaders, labor unions, and local grassroots organizations.

Elijah's Endorsements

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$750. That's what the New York Times revealed that Donald Trump paid in federal income taxes. I don’t know about you, but I certainly pay way more than $750 in taxes a year--and I'm not a billionaire! I’ve said from the beginning, that New York needs to work for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. In honor of tonight's presidential debate, and our fight to make sure multi-millionaires and billionaires in New York pay their fair share, we are trying to raise at least $750 tonight to help get our message out to voters across the 38th district. Let's show that we can raise more money in one evening than Donald Trump paid in taxes in a whole year! actblue.com/donate/sd38debate
At midnight tonight, we have the most important fundraising deadline of this campaign so far. This is the first deadline since the primary campaign and the first chance to show how strong our general election coalition is. Please help us hit our grassroots fundraising goals by midnight tonight to keep our people-powered campaign moving toward victory in November. Every little bit helps, so please donate $10, $20 or whatever you can afford at tinyurl.com/donate2elijah. Together, we can win this fight, and make New York work for everyone, not just the wealthy and the well-connected.
Yom Kippur begins at sunset tonight and ends at dusk tomorrow marking an end to the Jewish High Holidays this year. Wishing an easy fast to those who observe and a happy and healthy start to the Jewish year 5781!
I was “proud” to support the Rockland County Pride Center by buying a ticket to their reimagined, all online 2020 Pride Ball this evening. Despite the constraints imposed by COVID, the Center has done a fantastic job continuing to provide vital services to Rockland’s LGBTQ community and deserves our continued support! . . . #rocklandpridecenter #prideball2020 #equalrights #sd38 #elijahforsenate
It’s been a wonderful morning meeting voters at the Ossining farmers market with Mayoral candidate Rika Levin and Village Trustee candidates Manuel Quezada and Dana White. We’re also registering voters and encouraging people to complete the Census. Less than 5 weeks to go! . . . #elijahforsenate #sd38 #ossining #voterregistration #census2020 #democraticparty
How about some good news? I want to give a huge shout out and congratulations to Jacqueline Cassagnol, for winning the "Nobel Prize for Public Service", the 2020 Jefferson Award. Jacqueline is a Nurse in Spring Valley and a Doctoral Candidate at Pace University. Jacqueline was recognized alongside of actress and activist Kristen Bell, Youth Villages CEO Patrick Lawler, and TOMS clothing brand for her volunteer work in Haiti and her subsequent creation of Worldwide Community First Responder (WCFR). Jacqueline's nonprofit has provided more than 350,000 people with health education, first-aid and disaster preparedness training in the United States and Haiti. I was honored to join Jacqueline back in February at an event for WCFR, and I am very thankful that we have an incredible leader and activist living here in our community. Congratulations Jacqueline!
I'm incredibly excited to have the support of Sierra Club, one of the oldest and largest environmental organizations in the country. As a proud and active environmentalist, I am committed to protecting the clean air and water of the Hudson Valley for generations to come and preserving open spaces. And of course, there is no greater threat to our long term future than climate change, especially right here in the Hudson Valley where we have witnessed extreme weather destroy homes, businesses, and infrastructure. I will push for full implementation of New York's landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and seek to build upon this progress so that our state continues to lead the way on addressing climate change. . . . #ElijahforSenate #Endorsed #SierraClub #Environment #ClimateChange #Cleanair #CleanWater #HudsonValley #NY #SD38 #Rockland #Westchester #StateSenate #NYSSenate
We're doubling our impact! Join us on 9/30 from 6-8pm to talk to voters about future Congressman Mondaire Jones & future State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick and make sure we're electing Democrats up and down the ballot! Sign up for the phonebank and to receive Zoom link and a reminder at: bit.ly/mondaire-elijah-0930
Less than 6 weeks to Election Day, show your support with yard signs! Starting next week, our volunteers will be dropping off yard signs with any supporter who wants one. If you'd like a sign, please reply with a comment or email elijah4senate@gmail.com. If you still have your sign from the primary, please put your sign back up, and let us know so we don't bring you another one. Thanks for your support!
 

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I believe that government has a vital role to play in protecting our quality of life, ensuring safe neighborhoods, clean water, good roads and mass transit, and a well-funded education for our kids. Government exists to serve the people, and improve all our lives. That’s what I’ll fight for.

Our campaign is powered by individuals like you, so please give as generously as you can.

-- Elijah

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