"Young people are shaping our future by using their voices to push forward our shared goals of expanding educational opportunities, supporting job growth and training programs, strengthening voting access, and fighting for a better future for us all," said Danks Burke. "I see young people graduating this Spring from high schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions into a deep recession with scarce job opportunities, yet they aren't giving up, and that inspires me. It's my honor to fight every day alongside the Young Democrats for our future."
"Leslie will go to Albany and make sure the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region is represented," said Paolo Cremidis, New York State Young Democrats Rural Caucus Chair. "In this time of great uncertainty, Leslie is making sure we are having conversations to ensure that rural communities can survive the economic repercussions of this pandemic. We need a State Senator like Leslie who will fight for us, not simply collect a salary. We are proud to endorse Leslie because we know she will fight for young people and our rural communities."
"My opponent claims -- and I quote -- that there are plenty of jobs available here for young people who want to work," continued Danks Burke. "That's scarily out-of-touch. Young people tell us they are leaving our region because they can't find a bright future here and I am fighting to turn this around so they can afford to stay."
To support young people in the area, Danks Burke calls for investment in clean energy jobs; for the State to make good on its promised funding for community colleges, and public and vocational schools; and by severely cutting property taxes by changing Medicaid to the funding structure that every other state in the country uses instead of New York's regressive system.
Leslie Danks Burke is an attorney and a longtime advocate for education, healthcare, and rural economic development. She is the daughter of farmers and a mother who, together with her husband, is raising two children in this community. A Democrat, she previously ran for State Senate in the 58th in 2016, outraising incumbent Tom O'Mara by over $200,000 and receiving more voter support from outside her party than any other challenger to a sitting incumbent that year -- on either side. Since 2016, Danks Burke has remained a powerful advocate for local community engagement and honest government.