St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee Annual Gathering

St. Lawrence County Democrats gathered at the White Silo in Canton on October 5 for "Appetizers and Connections, an annual tradition re-imagined." Special guests included our friend, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and NY-21 Congressional candidate Blake Gendebien!

Tom DiNapoli, NY State Comptroller, and Jane Dodd, NY Democratic Rural Conference

Introduction from the Chair, Mike Zagrobelny

"I wish I could say it’s been a great year since the last time we met, but frankly, 2025 has been a nightmare that we never seem to wake up from. I could stand here and recount all the injustice, all the absurdity, and all of the mistakes that were made, but that would be about as useful as Elise Stefanik and the current House of Representatives. Instead, I would like to answer the most frequently asked question that has been posed to me this year. This question has taken several forms and is sometimes specific to a person and other times all inclusive. I imagine several of you in the room have asked this very question. I know I have…

What are the Democrats doing about this? When I first heard this question, I tended to take it personally as if I represented the entire Democratic Party from coast to coast, but then I remembered the famous Tip O’Neill quote, “all politics is local,” and those are the things I can speak to and those are the things we can all be proud of. What did we do?

We spoke up with prolific letters to the editor led by St. Lawrence County Democrat Committee Vice-Chair, Ginger Storey-Welch, reaching record levels of engagement through social media!

We showed up in Massena, Potsdam, and Canton (every damn Wednesday!). Record crowds in the sun, rain, and snow to hold signs, attend rallies to speak for those who cannot, and most importantly to let politicians know they will be held accountable for their words and actions.

We came together! NY-21 Democrats and Blake Gendebien chased Elise out of the United Nations and back to Washington where she’s still ashamed to return to her district. Does anyone realize how huge it was that the party that threw Elise a “going away tour” was too dysfunctional to pick a candidate?"

St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee Chair Mike Zagrobelny

 "We stepped up to lead! St. Lawrence County has over 150 local offices on the ballot this year. We have candidates in almost every town and village. We have candidates running in the reddest of towns. Why? Because they dare to speak truth to power and to trust that goodness and common sense will prevail. 

We governed (because that’s what politicians are actually supposed to do) and improved lives for St. Lawrence County and  New York residents. Look around: DRI projects in Massena, Potsdam, and Canton. NY Forward projects in Waddington and Gouverneur. A ten-year power deal with NYPA to keep Alcoa in Massena. Airport expansion at the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority. And a return of the City of Ogdensburg from the far right and back to stable city leadership.

Even where we are the minority, we make a difference. Margaret Haggard and Nicole Terminelli continue to hold the leadership of St. Lawrence County accountable, and John Casserly and Dave Doran are witnesses to the incompetence of the leadership. In 2026, we must win back control of the county legislature. We can’t win all 15, but at least 8 are within reach."

Nicole Terminelli, St. Lawrence County Legislator

"On the state level, Governor Hochul continues to lead by her ethical example and simultaneously holds Washington accountable while making New York a better place to live. I can speak first-hand of her commitment to New York schools: universal free lunch, unprecedented financial support, and the cell phone ban. Teachers in local districts tell me the cell phone ban has been wildly successful and is loved by kids and teachers alike.

Attorney General Tish James tirelessly holds criminals responsible, and the one and only Tom DiNapoli ensures that our fiscal house is in order. Let’s make sure we return all three of these great state leaders to office in 2026!

What are we not doing?

We aren’t writing laws and enacting policies to line the pockets of billionaires. Do you know who is?

We aren’t establishing cruel practices and policies to attack the most vulnerable among us? Do you know who is?

We aren’t denying science, lying about vaccines, and defunding medical research? Do you know who is? I think you do.

This fall and next year, we have a monumental task. We must persevere, we must continue the fight, and we must continue to hold our heads high knowing that the work we do is for everyone – not just for Democrats!"

Mike Zagrobelny, Brad Mintner, Ginger Storey-Welch, and Tom DiNapoli

Annual Tradition - Re-Imagined

Great photos from the annual gathering at the White Silo! Chair Mike Zagrobelny and special guests Tom DiNapoli and Blake Gendebien reminded us of why we choose to be Democrats!