CAIRO —Democratic and Working Families Party candidate Mary Finneran welcomed constituents, supporters and undecided voters Saturday afternoon during a campaign meet-and-greet fundraiser at The G Spot, where discussion centered on affordability, healthcare, taxation, artificial intelligence and the future of rural communities.
The event, held May 23 from approximately 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., featured pasta and salad prepared by the venue alongside libations and cucumber water as attendees gathered to hear Finneran outline her campaign platform for New York’s 102nd Assembly District.
Finneran, a retired educator and longtime activist from Cairo, is seeking the Democratic nomination in the upcoming Assembly race while also running on the Working Families Party line.
Speaking to attendees, Finneran framed her campaign around what she described as the nation’s founding ideals.
“I am fighting for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Finneran said.
Expanding on those themes, she added, “Life, which requires affordable groceries and affordable housing,” while describing increasing financial pressures on working families throughout upstate New York.
On civil liberties and immigration policy, Finneran criticized federal enforcement practices, stating, “Liberty as organizations like ICE strips so many people’s right to a voice.”
Turning to work-life balance and economic inequality, Finneran told the audience, “And the pursuit of happiness, because how can you be happy when you are so busy making money that you forget to live.”
The candidate repeatedly returned to the subject of taxation and wealth disparity during the afternoon discussion.
“We need to tax the rich,” she said. “Especially those that do not pay taxes.”
Healthcare affordability also emerged as a major topic. Finneran advocated for universal healthcare measures and argued that medical costs continue to burden middle- and working-class families across the state.
“Medical debt is the number one reason for bankruptcy in New York state,” Finneran said. “To some people it may cost between $1,200 to $1,500 to support a single child.”
When asked whether higher earners and large financial interests might leave New York if taxes increase, Finneran dismissed the concern.
“Where is Wall Street located?” she asked attendees. “They are not going anywhere.”
“Raising wealthier taxes by even just a little bit is all you need to do to see that people’s needs are met,” she added.
Audience questions throughout the event touched on whether a more progressive candidate could succeed in the largely rural 102nd District, which spans Greene and Schoharie counties as well as portions of Albany, Delaware and Otsego counties.
Responding to one attendee’s question about whether the district was prepared for a more progressive Assembly representative, Finneran replied, “Yes, people’s needs have to be met and that includes our farmers.”
Artificial intelligence and proposed regional data center development also became a point of discussion during the forum. Referencing concerns surrounding large-scale energy use and technology’s effect on younger generations, Finneran said, “AI has to be regulated, it is such an energy glutton and I believe that today’s kids are dumbed down because of it.”
“We used to use slide rulers before calculators were introduced and we grew up knowing how to do math in our heads,” she continued. “Now with something like AI we will be lucky if young people know how to operate a cash register.”
Finneran additionally addressed concerns over utility costs and what she described as corporate prioritization over public need in relation to proposed data center projects in the Capital Region.
The gathering served as both a campaign fundraiser and voter outreach event ahead of the Democratic primary contest for the 102nd Assembly District seat. Finneran has previously campaigned on issues including healthcare access, housing affordability, environmental advocacy and rural infrastructure improvements.
