Kim Keiserman wins the Democratic primary in a landslide
Kim Keiserman celebrated a decisive victory in the Democratic primary in the State Senate’s 7th District on Tuesday, securing 73 percent of the vote against her opponent, Brad Schwartz.
Keiserman is a Port Washington resident known for her passionate advocacy in the local school district. Her campaign has focused on education reform, reproductive rights and environmental protection, which she sees as the most pressing issues facing her community.
“I’m running for State Senate because the people of this district face major challenges,” Keiserman told the crowd of friends and family at her home after declaring victory. “We deserve to be represented by someone who can bring us together to find real and lasting solutions to these challenges. Not someone who panders, sows division and put politics over people.”
Despite being a first-time candidate Keiserman said she believed her lack of political experience was offset by her extensive advocacy work and involvement in the community, and that she aimed to be a strong, effective voice for Long Island in Albany.
She will face the Republican incumbent, Jack Martins, in November.
“This victory is just the beginning of the hard work that needs to be done to flip this seat,” Keiserman said. “We’re currently standing right in the heart of one of New York’s true battlegrounds. The work we do here on Long Island has national implications for the future of our country and the future of our democracy. That work is not going to be easy.”
Her foray into politics, she has said, was inspired by Donald Trump’s 2016 election as president. Horrified by his attacks on women, immigrants, people of color and the press, Keiserman felt that she needed to be part of the fight for democracy and decency. She joined the Port Washington Democratic Club, and quickly became a central figure in grass-roots organizing, including efforts to oust former U.S. Rep. George Santos.
Jody Kass Finkel, founder of Concerned Citizens of NY-03, a group Keiserman joined to help force Santos out of Congress, highlighted her leadership and dedication to good government policies, stressing her integrity.
“I’ve gotten to know Kim through her leadership of Concerned Citizens of NY-03,” Finkel said. “I’ve seen her in action. I’ve seen her under pressure. It’s very clear that we will be so lucky to have her as our representative in Albany, because she’ll bring integrity and her smarts.”
If she were to defeat Martins in the general election, one of Keiserman’s first actions, she said, would be to join the bipartisan pro-choice Legislative Caucus, emphasizing her commitment to protecting and expanding women’s reproductive rights. She supports codifying those rights in the state Constitution, and ensuring comprehensive reproductive care, including pre- and post-natal care.
“It’s time for us to all fight back,” Keiserman said. “Protect reproductive freedom and enshrine reproductive freedom into the New York State Constitution.”
Her campaign garnered a number of significant endorsements. Will Murphy, a candidate for the Assembly in the 15th District, praised Keiserman’s understanding of local issues and her commitment to affordable housing, quality public schools and safe communities.
“Kim is the type of person who gets it, and knows how to attack it and start solving it,” Murphy said. “We don’t need career politicians who have no clue about the struggles everyday people face.”
Glen Cove City Councilwoman Marsha Silverman commended Keiserman’s proactive approach to understanding public issues and her commitment to engaging with residents.
“She took it upon herself to get to know the issues of interest to the public and put in the hard work it takes to meet residents and listen to their concerns,” Silverman said. “I think she will be a great partner in government, and I look forward to working with her.”
Keiserman acknowledged that taking on the incumbent will be a challenge, noting Martins’ time in public life and extensive name recognition, but she added that she has built strong relationships in her communities by listening to residents in her frequent visits to events, and even grocery stores.
“When I go and talk to voters in the district, what I hear is they want someone who’s going to be more present in the community, and able to deliver for the unique needs, values and interests of Long Island,” Keiserman said. “That’s the message that I’ll be bringing to them, is that I’m going to be a full-time legislator. I’m going to be listening to their needs and interests, and I’m going to be a voice in the majority in the State Senate that can deliver for them.”
