Neither US President Trump nor challenger Biden can bet on getting a majority in New York’s fifth district, Staten Island. Both camps are almost equally strong. The followers are conciliatory towards each other.
By Christiane Meier, ARD Studio New York
You have to leave Manhattan behind to visit New York’s fifth borough, Staten Island. 20 minutes by ferry, past the Statue of Liberty, then you arrive on the island, which ticks 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 New York’s “Swing Island”, every voice is fought hard here. Trump won four years ago, this time it’s not certain. John Bonavita and his friend Steve Collica are bus drivers and unionists. They took a vacation to support Joe Biden and her 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,” said Bonavita. There are still many who are undecided, every vote counts, says Collica.
Trump’s battle cry is well received
As always, Bonavita votes democratically, fearing that Trump will punish New York and cut subsidies for local public transport. Then not only would jobs in Staten Island be at risk, the city would suffer too. “It’s stupid to try. This is our life,” he says. You only destroy the economy when people can’t go to work. “It’s no use to 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 company did the sound engineering for the event. One of the few jobs he still has. “It’s good to see so many people advocating for business, the police, the small business people, the medical staff and the military,” he says. “It may sound like a cliché, but also for America.”
Anger at 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. In election spots, opponents Max Rose and Nicole Malliotakis abuse each other as liars and fraudsters.
But many people are concerned with other things. Gerardi and his partner have to fire the entire workforce due to Corona. They are angry that Washington cannot agree on new aid. “You have let us down. I don’t look to the president, Pelosi or Senator Schumer, but to everyone,” says the Republican.
Your last remaining employees will be left with nothing tomorrow. “Then I have no more work. I can no longer buy food, no longer pay my bills and no longer support my children and grandchildren,” says Renee Dematteo. And yet they definitely want to re-elect Trump. “Because if the country continues like it has done in the last four years, it will be good for my business,” says Gerardi. Business people suffer from Corona as do employees.
“Everyone is free to do their thing”
Despite the election campaign, the partisans on Staten Island are not enemies. Bonavita and his wife invited their Republican friend to dinner.
“The president is the president. Your own candidate doesn’t always win. You put up with it and accept him,” says Christine Swiderski. Jessica Bonavita believes 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. The other New Yorkers and the hostile America could learn a lot from Staten Island.
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