SOMERS, N.Y. - Almost 200 local residents crowded into Heritage Hills’ Heritage Room auditorium on May 18 to hear from three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in New York’s 17th Congressional District: Cait Conley, Beth Davidson and Mike Sacks. A fourth candidate, John Cappello, attended as an observer but was not included as a speaker because the event had already been organized before community awareness of his candidacy emerged.
The event was organized by Heritage Hills resident Ken Benjamin, leader of the community’s weekly current events discussion group. Benjamin opened the forum by noting that “the Democrats have a difficult and important job” in selecting their candidate. He reminded attendees that early voting in the primary begins June 13, with Election Day set for June 23.
Candidates began by sharing their personal backgrounds before responding to questions posed by an event committee and audience members.
Conley cited her local working-class roots, education at West Point and advanced degrees from Harvard and MIT. She highlighted her 16 years of active-duty military service, including multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and the receipt of three Bronze Stars. Since leaving the military, she has served as Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council and worked at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). She argued that her status as a veteran would enhance her appeal among independent voters.
Davidson, whose father, grandfather and uncles were Navy veterans, served two terms on the Nyack Board of Education, including one year as vice president and two years as secretary. She currently serves on the Rockland County Legislature as chair of the Environmental Committee and Water Task Force and vice chair of the Economic Development & Housing Committee. Davidson stressed that she is the only candidate with a proven record of defeating Republicans and working across the aisle, citing her support for a household gun-safety law and efforts to reduce property taxes.
Sacks is a lawyer-turned-journalist and television reporter whose work has covered all branches of the federal government. An Emmy Award winner for his coverage of the George Floyd protests, he is also a nationally recognized expert on the Supreme Court.
The candidates were largely respectful of one another and generally agreed on the major issues facing the district and the nation. Sacks remarked, “All the candidates are excellent people.”
'Saving Our Democracy'
Davidson cited what she described as “grift and corruption” within the Trump administration, saying that “saving our democracy will be job one.” She criticized cuts to SNAP benefits while a ballroom was being built and expressed concern about a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing congressional district line changes in Louisiana that she believes weaken the Voting Rights Act.
Drawing on her national security background, Conley described the current administration as an internal threat to democracy. She argued that Rep. Mike Lawler is “complicit in all that is going on” and described him as “vile.”
Sacks delivered the strongest criticism, asserting, “When Republicans are in office, they hurt people and put business over the people. ... Over the past 40 years, Republicans have built a structure to get their way. Trump will be gone in two years ... or sooner if we get our way ... but the structure will still be there.” He also criticized the role of the Supreme Court, saying, “The Supreme Court has no right to overrule the voice of the people.”
Inflation and Affordability
Conley described the challenge in military terms.
“First we need to stop the bleeding, then go on to repair,” she said, noting that the average age of a first-time homebuyer is now around 40, compared with people in their 20s in previous generations.
Davidson argued that affordability means different things to different people, citing district residents who face high state and local taxes while also relying on Medicaid. She stressed the need for more housing of all types and called for government investment in housing rather than military spending.
Sacks focused on the impact of tariffs and what he called the “unconstitutional Iran war.” He described the Trump administration as an “autocracy” that “steals from us, corrupts, and costs us more.”
Corporate and AIPAC Funding
All three candidates said they would not accept funding from corporations or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Each also expressed support for Israel, while Davidson and Sacks noted that they are Jewish.
Sacks emphasized that he does not support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said he favors J Street, a more progressive pro-Israel political action committee, over AIPAC.
Davidson argued that special-interest money is a broader problem and claimed that Lawler receives support from AIPAC.
Conley focused on corporate political spending, calling Citizens United one of the Supreme Court’s worst decisions.
Gun Control
Davidson pointed to her advocacy at the local level, saying she originally ran for the Rockland County Legislature to support banning assault weapons.
Conley stated that “it is not okay when the weapons I carried in war” are available to civilians, adding that “it’s about keeping the community safe.”
Sacks blamed gun violence in part on court decisions and criticized what he called the “right-wing Supreme Court.” He urged Congress to challenge the court’s rulings and called on lawmakers to “fight the fascists.”
Postal Service
Conley shared stories about her mother’s career as a postal employee, recalling accompanying her one Christmas morning at the Newburgh Post Office to help deliver remaining holiday packages. She also argued that the Postal Service’s financial challenges stem from requirements that it pre-fund retirement benefits.
Davidson criticized efforts to require the Postal Service to be entirely self-supporting, contrasting that approach with the federal government’s willingness to fund a proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget.
Sacks challenged former President Ronald Reagan’s famous quip, “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help,” arguing that such anti-government sentiment “is dead now, and we don’t have to live with it anymore.”
Social Media and AI
All three candidates supported stronger regulation of social media to protect children.
Davidson focused on online bullying and argued that current regulations remain inadequate. She also called for banning cell phones in schools.
Conley cited growing concerns about youth mental health and warned about foreign disinformation campaigns that undermine confidence in democratic institutions.
Sacks accused Lawler of spreading misinformation during the 2024 campaign and criticized Supreme Court decisions that have overturned limits on social media activity.
The candidates also called for tighter oversight of artificial intelligence and data-center development.
Davidson argued that data centers should bear their own power costs rather than passing them on to consumers and said limits may be needed to protect water supplies. She also opposed using AI and data-center capabilities to track and deport immigrants.
Conley went further, saying data centers should not consume “our energy and water” and accusing corporations of “exploiting us.” She argued that AI should be regulated to ensure it is not used to develop chemical weapons or bombs.
Sacks described AI as “awful,” calling it “a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.” He proposed creating an OSHA-like agency to protect the public from the risks of generative AI.
Term Limits
All three candidates voiced support for term limits for members of Congress and Supreme Court justices.
Conley said she believes there is sufficient support for a constitutional amendment establishing term limits, although Democratic electoral victories would be necessary to make it happen.
Davidson also called for stronger ethics rules for Supreme Court justices, including prohibitions on accepting gifts such as free trips on corporate aircraft.
Sacks advocated expanding the number of seats on the Supreme Court as a way to accelerate change on the bench.
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