Democrats in New York 21 are ready for what comes next.
The results of the 2024 election taught us many lessons. My main message is this: people care about having food on the table, gas in the car, and a roof over their heads. I'm going to Congress to defend against the ongoing attacks on everyday Americans from all walks of life, because whether people voted red or voted blue, the challenges they face are red, white, and blue.
I got into the 2024 race in February with a commitment to voters that I was in it for the long haul. As promised, I announced my bid for 2026 the day after the 2024 election. As we prepare for a Special Election, I hope to gain support from local party leaders to be the Democratic Candidate in 2025.
We are going
hyper-local, with door-to-door engagement wherever possible. We're going to towns and villages. We're going to cities in all 15 counties of NY-21. We're digging deep to let voters know that we hear you and we are ready to serve the needs of the people of New York 's 21st Congressional District.
I have spent a lifetime in service to families, even before I ever thought of running for office! My early years were actually in classical music, as a performer and teacher of piano. When I lived in Texas, I built up a career giving recitals and leading church music at the historic All Saints Catholic Church in the Houston Heights. I have one child, and have been a single parent since my daughter was age 5. We homeschooled during her pre-college years. That worked -- she went on to complete two Master's degrees from the London School of Economics, is fluent in Japanese, and maintains an active social circle centered on the intersection of politics, philosophy, and fashion.
In 2009, I moved to New York City (every musician's dream!) to accept a position with the New York City Teaching Fellows. I am a proud member of NYSUT and the UFT, having completed 11 years in service as a Special Education teacher. I worked in some of the toughest schools in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The last four years I was teaching, I taught all day and went to law school at night, thus realizing another dream, which was to become an attorney in the State of New York! I initially worked for a Big Four accounting firm as a tax attorney in the real estate partnerships division, but transitioned during COVID to private practice.
My practice is in one of New York's newest industries: the licensed cannabis industry. I am an Enrolled Agent, which is the highest credential offered by the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, I serve as counsel in consumer bankruptcy matters, helping everyday people find solutions to their debt problems. I am admitted to the practice of law in New York, New Jersey, Missouri, and Minnesota.
I am an Adjunct Law Professor at the
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.
I am happy to call St. Lawrence County my home.
As an attorney, I was often on the road more days than I was at my desk in New York City. I longed for something different.
I settled into the North Country in early 2024. When I realized who my representative was, I determined that it was time to get into action.
I could not align my core Democratic principles with the idea that the Republican incumbent would run unopposed. I got on the ballot in February 2024 and was in the General Election on November 5, 2024.
You can send donations of any size ($21 is only a suggestion! The limit you can give to any campaign -- including to the Special Election campaign -- is $3,300. It's doubled for married couples). You can click to send via PayPal or you can send a check to:
Paula Collins for Congress
441 Old State Road
DeKalb Junction, NY 13630
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!
Mmmm. Nothing like a nice warm hoodie on a cool North Country day.
How about a nice zip pullover?
There's always a good time for a T-Shirt.
The border crisis is squarely on the shoulders of Republican Elise Stefanik, who was in a position to introduce a bill and get it passed, but refused to do so.
I'm going to Congress because we cannot sit back and let our Adirondack waterways, woods, and mountains get destroyed by deregulation. Millionaires and billionaires will not profit off of our NY-21 natural beauty.
Health insurance premiums are too high, the deductibles are unmanageable, the copays are too expensive, and prescription drug prices are not sustainable.
We need to pass Medicare for all.
The voters have told us that they care about being able to put food on the table, gas in the car, and a roof over their heads. It's time for Democrats to
renew, rebrand, and resist.
A lot of voters have asked me about the Special Election that will be held in 2025.
This is all of what I know as of November 16, 2024.
I sincerely hope that I will be asked to be on the ballot, once the Governor has called the Special Election.
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