Author: catherine

08Jan

Chatzky’s Sexism Destroying NYS Democratic CD 17 Primary

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For Immediate Release, 1/8/2026
Chatzky’s Sexism Destroying NYS Democratic CD 17 Primary
WCLA – Choice Matters
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For a man who claims to be a progressive, Chatzky showed a different side of himself this week. Using some of the $5 million dollars that he gave to his campaign, Chatzky has portrayed a fellow Democratic Primary woman challenger as a “stereotypical female” unable to make her own decisions – just like many Republicans do when they say women can’t be trusted to make their own choices.

What do women have to do to be taken seriously? Let’s ask Democratic Primary Candidate Peter Chatzky who chose to introduce himself to the public with a sexist ad clearly mocking front runner Democratic Primary challenger Cait Conley – a woman who graduated from West Point in the top 2% of her class, earned master’s degrees from both MIT and Harvard, served 16 years as an active Army officer, deployed overseas six times, was awarded three bronze stars, and then was Director of Counterterrorism on the National Security Council.

A person’s sense of humor often reveals a lot about their intelligence, character, values, and emotional state. What does it reveal about Chatzky that he needs to turn a powerful articulate woman into a floppy straggly-haired marionette, a punching bag? That sounds a lot like Trump.

Chatzky offered no specific criticisms of Cait Conley who is a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native. One can only wonder if he finds going head-to-head with female opponents emasculating.

This Democratic Primary must focus on picking the candidate best able to defeat anti-choice extremist, MAGA Republican Lawler, and all contenders must stop attacking one another. Women across the United States need a pro-choice candidate who can win back CD 17.

05Oct

MONEY IN THE BANK! WHY local elections matter!!

Who you elect matters…in every election.
VOTE NOVEMBER 4, 2025!

ALERT: Locally, there are 17 anti-choice candidates in 13 contested races on the Westchester County 2025 ballot. Trump is again endorsing a uniquely unqualified, anti-reproductive rights extremist running for County Executive. If elected, she would strip away all of Westchester County’s reproductive healthcare protections including our Safe Clinic Access Law passed in 2022 following the violent clinic invasion in 2021, and services provided by Westchester Medical Center to high-risk patients and the incarcerated. A win here is a green light for anti-abortion zealots across the state.

YOUR PRO-CHOICE VOTE AT WORK!
>In 2021, you elected a Pro-Choice County Executive, a Pro-Choice County Clerk and a Pro-Choice majority on the County Board of Legislators.

>On November 27, 2021, Westchester suffered the worst clinic invasion in New York State history right here in White Plains.

>The Pro-Choice County Board took action IMMEDIATELY.Working together with Choice Matters, they passed the Health Care Facilities Act – a law designed specifically to protect Westchester –and the Pro-Choice County Executive signed it into law.

>Then this Pro-Choice County Board went a huge step further:
This Westchester County Board of Legislators, together with the Department of Public Safety, supported Choice Matters’ creation and implementation of a training program for law enforcement on clinic protection laws.

>This past Saturday, Westchester reaped the benefits! A large national anti-abortion activist group swarmed in front of the same clinic that was invaded in 2021 – and the White Plains Police, many of whom had attended the Choice Matters training, were ready.

They managed the extremists, respecting first amendment rights while protecting patients and staff. A tribute to the law, law enforcement and Choice Matters’ training program!

NONE of this would have been possible if you had not voted in a Pro-Choice Government!Violence against clinics is skyrocketing in states where abortion is still legal – but here in Westchester we have a law, a County government, law enforcement and Choice Matters working to keep providers, patients and escorts safe.

YOU play an active role in keeping Westchester safe….or not.

IT IS ALL UP TO YOU!

1. VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4^TH.

Elect a Pro-Choice County Executive and County Board of Legislators; and

2. DONATE TO CHOICE MATTERS

Help us get the Bright Yellow ProChoice Voting Guide into the hands of 50,000+ pro-choice voters.

04Oct

3 Bills Must Become Law: Sign-on Letter

SIGN ON HERE

Choice Matters is asking individuals and organizations/institutions to sign on to the letter below imploring NYS Governor Hochul to sign into law the Hospital Transparency Act (S.3486/A.3862), Health Information Privacy Act (S.929/A.2141), and Shield Law 2.0 (S.4914-B/A.5480-C). These crucial bills are closely intertwined with critical protections for our residents, patients, friends, providers, and their staff.

Women’s health is being systematically obliterated by a reckless and lawless GOP, as they ramrod their right-wing MAGA agenda through. These bills seek to address just a few of the myriad of rights being ripped away from over 65 million women of childbearing age nationwide, not to mention Trump’s big ugly bill that will strip Medicaid from millions of others leaving them further exposed with no health insurance.

Trump and his extremist allies have made it clear: overturning Roe v. Wade was just the beginning. Their ultimate goal is to eliminate access to abortion and contraceptive care across the country. They have already misused federal law enforcement and surveillance technology against those who provide, seek, receive, and support abortion care and gender-affirming care. The passage of this legislation is clearly imperative, and we call on the Governor to take the necessary legislative steps to protect us.

Please join us.

11Jun

Thank you, Morgen Fleisig!

Morgen Fleisig is the kind of candidate Choice Matters wants to see run for elected office in communities throughout New York.

Morgen – who is running for Mayor of Hastings in the Democratic Primary on June 24th – gets it! He understands access to comprehensive reproductive health care including abortion is an issue that can face every community regardless of size, location or demographics.

Last year, Hastings was attacked for being “woke”. Next time it could be for its zoning code and its permit process for medical offices. Think it can’t happen here? It has. When our county clerk was Mayor of New Rochelle, he faced exactly that problem. He was pressured by anti-choice opponents to change the zoning code to stop Planned Parenthood from opening. He refused and, because he did, Westchester women had increased access to abortion care! That’s the courage and insight that go into being a leader.

Morgen knows that anti-choice extremism is real.

Important to note is that Morgen’s primary opponent is working hard to avoid the abortion access issue. Even as Morgen Fleisig has proudly publicized his 100% Choice Matters Pro-Choice rating, we have heard NOTHING from his opponent in the Democratic Primary. Not. A. Peep. It is our experience that candidates who avoid the issue of abortion rights do so because they are anti-choice. People who won’t take a stand will equivocate. When put to the test, they will trade away our right to control our own bodies.

REMEMBER: We must elect ONLY 100% Pro-Choice candidates to every office. OUR RIGHTS DEPEND ON IT!

Hastings deserves a pro-choice Leader!

Morgen searched out Choice Matters for its support even though Choice Matters and its two political action committees WCLA PAC (NYS) and ProChoice Voter (federal) generally only get involved in races for elected office on the County level and higher.

Morgen Fleisig is running for Mayor in the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson. To be the candidate for the Democratic Party in November, Morgen Fleisig must first win the primary on June 24^th. (Early Voting begins Saturday, June 14^th.)

VOTE PRO-CHOICE ON JUNE 24TH!

21Mar

A Bullet to the Head or Death by Poison

With the first, death is immediate; with the second, there is hope to find an antidote before it’s too late. That sums up the options Democrats faced last week: vote “No” on the stopgap spending bill and shut down the federal government, which is exactly what Trump and his MAGA Republicans wanted the Democrats to do; or vote “Yes” and keep it open to fight another day.

Last Friday, recognizing this will be a multi-year all-out battle to save our country, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer chose the second—and with that he threw down the gauntlet, signaling his preparedness to wage war from the inside out, to protect ‘We the People’, our Constitution, and our country.

Many Democrats were livid, chastising Schumer for not using (non-existent) leverage, and calling for him to step down—even though there had been no plausible course of action for Democrats to take had they succeeded in shutting down the government.

Leverage comes when the President does not want a shutdown, and the minority party can negotiate. That is not the case here.

But Democrats were not the only ones angry. Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Project 2025 architect and Budget Director Russell Vought had been gaming for a shutdown. It would have provided them with the ideal structure and sweeping legal powers to dismantle the government irrevocably and make it substantially more difficult for courts to reverse.

A shutdown would have been the gateway for doing so much more damage, unchecked; and that’s exactly what Trump was angling for.

A shutdown recognizes the executive branch led by the president—in this case, Donald Trump—as the sole legal authority empowered to determine how the government should operate. Trump would have become the almighty decider, the one who declares which functions are “essential” and therefore should be maintained, and which ones are “dispensable” and therefore eliminated—and this executive power applies to all facets of government, without any “checks and balances”. Yes, Trump is ignoring the law now but at least he can be challenged in court. If there was a shutdown, most of his acts provoking this constitutional crisis would become legal.

And it gets worse, if that is even possible. It is totally plausible that the government would never “open” again because the Democrats wouldn’t have the votes; the Republicans wouldn’t have the incentive; and Trump would have every reason to keep it closed. And then what? The reality is that a shutdown would have provided Trump and Co. the perfect opportunity to go much further, enabling them to attack every part of the federal government.

For now, that door has been closed.

The Reality: The United State is in the midst of a constitutional crisis. This is uncharted territory. Donald Trump, with the willful support of the GOP, has made a mockery of the rule of law and all that has defined this country since its inception. For the most part, the courts appear as the last line of defense.

Democrats are rightly angry, searching for an effective tool to fight back; and Senator Schumer gave us one last Friday. It wasn’t a throw down; no overt drama. But successful none the less. It was a huge failure for Trump and his silence speaks volumes.

Historically, Schumer’s political instincts have proved right. Democrats now have a clear mission moving forward. They must stop attacking our elected officials and turning on each other.

Instead: Expose. Expose. Expose.

Expose the firings, cuts, closings, tariffs, health crisis, pending recession—everything in excruciating detail. Photograph. Document. Share. Expose.

It is critical to turn the tides. The next spending bill is in September, only six months away.

17Mar

Nita Lowey – a Titan

On Saturday, we lost Nita Lowey – a true titan. She was an abortion rights champion who led the way for decades. She has now passed the mantle to us. We cannot let her down.

Please grab a cup of coffee, sit back and watch Nita’s phenomenal reproductive rights congressional campaign that reverberated across take the nation. She’s still showing us the way.CLICK HERE TO PLAY THIS INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO!

20Jan

2 Remarkable Women – Cecile & Polly

CECILE RICHARDS – POLLY ROTHSTEIN

Both Cecile Richards and Polly Rothstein dedicated their lives to advancing comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion, for the many. Both of these women died shortly before Donald Trump was to take office.

Polly Rothstein, the founder of WCLA – Choice Matters, passed away the Monday after Trump was elected in 2016.

Cecile Richards, the president of the Pllanned Parenthood Federation of American and president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund from 2006 to 2018, died this morning, hours before Trump was to be sworn in for his second term.

Let that sink in. And now get up and – as Michelle Obama said – DO SOMETHING!

AND NEVER FORGET ~ VOTE ~
The next election in Westchester is this February 11^th.
Early Voting begins February 1^st.
It is for the office of Westchester County Executive.

06Nov

The Election In the Rear View Mirror

Yesterday’s election was one that has left many of us in a tailspin, grappling with the election of Donald Trump and the defeat of Kamala Harris – and for some, it is a painful time travel back to 2016 and the loss of Hillary Clinton.

Whereas we do not know exactly what a second Trump term will bring, we do know it won’t be good for the people and issues we care about. The loss of the US Senate compounds the challenges. The Republican-controlled Senate will most likely be nothing more than a rubber stamp for all of Trump’s appointments.

As of this morning, control of the House of Representatives has not been determined.

Looking a little bit more in depth:

Thanks to the many of you who responded to Choice Matters’ cry for help to pass NYS Prop 1 – the Equal Rights Amendment. Despite a very rocky start by allies, and millions of dollars spent by NYS Republican Committee on inflammatory dis-information, WE PREVAILED. You joined us at farmers markets, train stations, Early Voting sites, and Election Day polls, educating thousands of voters who had never heard of NYS Prop 1, AND WE WON. The NYS Constitution will now be amended to include abortion rights and the protected classes that are in the NYS Human Rights Law. This victory should not be taken lightly, especially given the national stage and the prospect of a vicious battle already being launched for the office of NYS Governor by newly re-elected anti-choice extremist Mike Lawler.

Around the country, there were significant victories and devasting losses. Seven states, including New York, voted to protect abortion, while Florida’s ballot measure failed – a loss strategically maneuvered by requiring that the measure pass by 60% rather than 50%+. South Dakota’s measure also failed. Nebraska passed an anti-abortion amendment.

New York State redeemed itself…kind of.

In 2022, New York lost 5 Democratically-held seats in Congress. This loss was the reason why Democrats lost control of the House.

Yesterday, Democrats appear to have won back 4 of those seats and picked up another.

Albany.

Whereas seats in both the Senate and Assembly were lost, Choice Matters’ pro-choice-rated WCLA PAC- endorsed candidates won election.

There is still a pro-choice majority in each House.

In Summary:

Over the coming days, we will all hear many expressions – including “it is always darkest before the dawn.” None of them will be helpful.

But know this: If you don’t get “back up again” they will definitely win.

When you are ready to take action, Choice Matters is here; and, with your energy and support, we are in the driver’s seat.

We will resist and persist. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again.

Remember:
“It’s not how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” Rocky 2006

22Sep

Yes, there are pro-choice NY Republicans. Gina Arena is NOT one of them!

Catherine Lederer-Plaskett responds in The Journal News:

Gina Arena, who is running for the fourth time, is definitely NOT pro-choice. She has shared her staunch anti-choice views in her answers on the Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortion — Choice Matters questionnaire and in her follow-up interview in 2019. Choice Matters sends its questionnaire to each individual running for the Westchester County Legislature and for every higher office, every year. Arena has refused to participate in her three subsequent races and has been marked ANTI-CHOICE each time. She has also been endorsed by the anti-abortion anti-contraception group Westchester Putnam Right to Life PAC.

In her own handwriting, Arena has stated that abortion should be legal only in cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the woman — and only in the first trimester. She opposes both Roe v. Wade and the New York State Reproductive Health Act that enshrined Roe in state law. She advocates for harsh regulations for both patients and healthcare providers, and opposes assistance to the incarcerated. She is against the FDA decision making emergency contraception available over-the-counter. And that’s just for starters.

From abortion to contraception to facility and provider access, Arena stands vehemently opposed to women’s comprehensive reproductive health care.

But now as she works to defeat Proposition No. 1, the NY Equal Rights Amendment, she is attempting to placate voters by whitewashing her real position in order to “rebrand” herself. Why? Because New York voters support abortion rights and comprehensive reproductive care by a huge margin. Contrary to her op-ed, Arena’s anti-abortion position does not make her pro-choice. Choice Matters will not allow Arena to redefine the term pro-choice to suit her campaign and suggest that the term “anti-choice” applies only to those who advocate for a total abortion ban.

New Yorkers should not be fooled by her deceitful use of alternate facts.

Arena belongs to a formidable opposition movement led by MAGA-style anti-choice extremists that is spreading disinformation with the goal of defeating Prop #1.

Prop #1 closes loopholes to make sure that no New Yorker can be discriminated against. In addition to protecting abortion rights in the state Constitution, it will elevate access to all reproductive health care including contraception and IVF, protect older New Yorkers, those with disabilities, and the LGBT community.

The truth is that Pro. No. 1 is totally consistent with the federal Title IX and NYS Human Rights Laws. States must comply with federal legislation. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1972, Title IX “prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.” Women have benefited beyond anyone’s wildest dreams from Title IX, and will continue to!

On Nov. 5, New Yorkers have the opportunity to stand up against discrimination and for equality and abortion rights. We must seize the moment. Turn over the ballot and vote yes on Prop #1.

Catherine Lederer-Plaskett is president of WCLA – Choice Matters. WCLA – Choice Matters’ mission is to ensure that all women – regardless of age, race, class, immigration status, geography or ability to pay – have full, unimpeded access to reproductive health care. The oldest ongoing pro-choice advocacy organization in the nation, Choice Matters is and always has been non-partisan.

27Jun

TUESDAY NIGHT RECAP

New York’s 2024 Primary Day is now in the rearview mirror.

The big news of the night: ProChoice Voter-endorsed George Latimer won the Democratic Primary, defeating the incumbent, in CD 16 which encompasses part of the north Bronx and the 12 cities, towns and villages in southern Westchester.

Although there is a Republican anti-choice opponent running in the November General Election, this is a solidly Blue seat. Winning now in the Primary pretty much guarantees Latimer will be heading to Washington DC as CD 16’s congressional representative, starting in 2025.

Latimer has already reached out, wanting to stay out in front on all reproductive health-related bills that are before Congress. We look forward to working with him!
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It was a different story in the Working Families Party (WFP) Primary in CD 17 which encompasses northern Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and part of Dutchess, and in New York SD 38 in Rockland County. This is not good when looking toward the November election.

Pro-choice Democratic candidate Mondaire Jones lost the WFP line to an anti-choice stooge WFP candidate. His anti-choice extremist opponent is on the Conservative and Republican lines.

Democratic candidate and ally Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, who is running to reclaim his NYS Senate seat, also lost to a WFP stooge candidate.

The Republican party has been working to take over the WFP line all over the state. Their strategy is to get conservative allies to enroll in the WFP to create a voting block, and then to run a stooge candidate. If they are successful and their candidate wins, they believe they can mislead voters in November into thinking the name on that line is a progressive, stealing votes away from the Democrat. Is this illegal? Yes, as seen in 2014/2015 when the Independence Party named Rob Astorino et al. for “raiding” its line.
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In the Westchester County District Attorney race, Susan Cacace defeated William Wagstaff III. Both Cacace and Wagstaff were rated 100% Pro-Choice. No endorsement was made here.

Despite having dropped out of the race, anti-choice Adeel Mirza’s name still appeared on the ballot. He picked up 7,153 votes (9%).
———————————————————————————-In the rematch for the New York State Assembly District #92 seat, MaryJane Shimsky defeated Tom Abinanti.

Both Abinanti and Shimsky were rated 100% Pro-Choice. No endorsement was made here.

This, like CD 16, is a Blue seat. Winning in the Primary means Shimsky is heading back to Albany.
———————————————————————————-The Major Take-Away

If Mondaire is to win in November, AND we are to take back Congress, YOU NEED TO GET INVOLVED!

THERE IS A MAGA EXTREMIST AGENDA AND IT IS PLAYING OUT RIGHT HERE IN NEW YORK IN CD 17.

We need to stop them and to do so, we need YOUR help to elect a Pro-Choice Trifecta! We must take back the House and hold the Senate and White House.