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Neither the president of the United States, Trump, nor the challenger Biden can bet on obtaining a majority in the fifth district of New York, Staten Island. Both camps are almost equally strong. Followers are conciliatory with each other.
By Christiane Meier, ARD Studio New York
You have to leave Manhattan behind to visit New York’s fifth borough, Staten Island. A 20 minute ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty takes you to the island, which works very differently from the rest of New York. Many city employees live here, but also small business owners who cannot afford city rents elsewhere.
Staten Island is the “Swing Island” of New York, every vote is fought hard here. Trump won four years ago, this time it’s not safe. John Bonavita and his friend Steve Collica are bus drivers and unionists. They took a vacation to support Joe Biden and his House candidate, Democrat Max Rose.
“It’s a close race. It will only be decided at the last minute, we are so deeply divided here. Hopefully many will vote and Max wins. But it will be close,” Bonavita said. There are still many who are undecided, every vote counts, says Collica.
Trump’s rallying cry is welcome
As always, Bonavita votes democratically, fearing Trump will punish New York and cut subsidies for local public transportation. Then not only would jobs on Staten Island be at risk, but the city would suffer as well. “It’s stupid to try. This is our life,” he says. The economy is only destroyed when people cannot go to work. “It doesn’t work for anyone, no matter what kind of egomaniac you are.”
For the other half of Staten Island, however, Trump is the preferred candidate. His battle cry for “law and order” and against anarchy is well received by the police and firefighters who live here. Anthony Gerardi is a Republican and he and his small business did the sound engineering for the event. One of the few jobs he has left. “It’s good to see so many people advocating for business, the police, small entrepreneurs, medical personnel, and the military,” he says. “It may sound like a cliché, but also for the United States.”
Anger against Washington
The election campaign in orderly and clean Staten Island has gotten dirty. It’s not just about the president, but also about the seat in the House of Representatives. At the polls, opponents Max Rose and Nicole Malliotakis abuse each other as liars and con artists.
But many people are interested in other things. Gerardi and his partner have to lay off the entire workforce because of Corona. They are angry that Washington cannot agree to new aid. “They have let us down. I don’t seek to blame the president, Pelosi or Senator Schumer, but everyone,” says the Republican.
The last remaining employees will be left with nothing tomorrow. “So I don’t have any more work. I can no longer buy food, I no longer pay my bills and I can no longer support my children and grandchildren,” says Renee Dematteo. And yet they definitely want to re-elect Trump. “Because if the country continues as it has in the last four years, it will be good for my business,” says Gerardi. Business people suffer from Corona just like employees.
“Everyone is free to do their thing”
Despite the election campaign, Staten Island supporters are not enemies. Bonavita and his wife have invited their Republican friend to dinner.
“The president is the president. Your own candidate doesn’t always win. You tolerate it and you accept it,” says Christine Swiderski. Jessica Bonavita thinks that if someone is elected, the population has to respect them. “Everyone is free to do their thing. I like it that way,” says her husband. Other New Yorkers and the United States at war could learn a lot from Staten Island.
