Errors and Omissions in The New York Times endorsement for NY-17

I am writing with regard to The New York Times Editorial Board’s “Promising New Faces to Congress” article published on Friday, June 12, 2020.

Mondaire Jones has a compelling life story for sure but this article contains misleading and missing information that I think is quite relevant and I have written and requested that the NYT Editorial Board correct this.

Mr. Jones was not an “Obama Administration official”. This is untrue and misleading to the reader/voter and warrants a correction. He was a fellow/intern in the DOJ for 11 months. A simple fact check would have prevented this error. He was a John Gardener Public Service Fellow at DOJ, while in college at Stanford. This is an internship, not a job. Additionally, he worked at the Westchester Law Department for 1 year, not a career there either. The New York Times ought to do better. Mondaire has a compelling personal story but his resume is quite lean (see screenshots from his linked in account for reference). For The New York Times to say he is the “most prepared” candidate is untrue. It’s absolutely fine for the Times Editorial Board to feel he’s the right candidate for this seat and this time, but to print incorrect information about his qualifications is not ok from The New York Times.

Of additional concern to me was the Board’s treatment of Dr. Evelyn Farkas. Dr. Farkas worked in the US Congress as a Senate Sr. Staffer for 7 years and the NYT Editorial Board did not even mention that in her bio. Evelyn is ready to write and pass legislation in Congress because she has already done it. Additionally, she was selected to be the first ever Executive Director of the Commission on the Proliferation of WMD and Terrorism which was created by the 9/11 Commission. You would think that since this district felt the direct impacts of 9/11, this would be included. This Commission advised President Obama on threats to the US, and highlighted pandemics as a major threat and the Obama Administration put initiatives in place to combat pandemics. In light of the fact that we are in the midst of a global pandemic, I would think the Board would have mentioned this relevant experience. Dr. Farkas’ last position in government was mentioned, President Obama’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of a Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia.

Dr. Farkas’ resume is long and extremely impressive but especially so in light of the fact that she is the daughter of two Hungarian refugees who fled communism and came to this country with nothing. At a time in our history when immigration has been under attack by the GOP, this is also a very relevant perspective.

Evelyn has worked her whole life in service to this country and cares deeply about issues of human rights, social and economic justice. She has fought for them for decades.

While Mr. Jones’ academic credentials were listed, Dr. Farkas’ were not. She has a PhD and a Master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts and an undergraduate degree in Government from Franklin and Marshall.

Also omitted were her policy proposals, when the other candidates all had their policy proposals referenced. Evelyn’s policy proposals are very detailed on her website at www.evelynforny.com.

Evelyn has the experience, the proven track record to stand up to any powerful interest and the relationships to deliver for this district, day 1.

I encourage voters to look at her endorsements page. She received endorsements from Obama’s Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough (who worked with Evelyn in the US Senate and The White House), as well as 12 sitting members of Congress, Secretaries Kerry and Panetta, Obamacare Architect Dr. Zeke Emmanuel, former Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro, Emily’s List, Elect Democratic Women and many other distinguished progressives and organizations.

These people have worked with Evelyn and know how well and hard she works. We’re losing a powerhouse in Nita Lowey, we need to replace her with another powerhouse. Congress is currently only 23% female, in my view that number should be higher, not lower.

I thank Dr. Farkas for her 20 years of service to America and I am excited to have already cast my vote for her for Congress.

I hope you will too.