In the Voting Booth, Bushwick Women are #WithHer—Here’s Why
BUSHWICK—After casting their votes for Hillary Clinton, four women share what moved them to support the Democratic candidate.
Michele Kaufman, 26, Director of Events at Brooklyn Grange
Kaufman paused to take a selfie with her friend, Kim Klatzkin, 26, after voting.
Why? “Because we were excited that we just voted for the first female president and we wanted to show our friends.”
Kaufman supports Clinton because of her work helping women and children, and her experience in healthcare. “I think she is by far the better candidate and I would never, ever, vote for Donald Trump, so it was an easy decision,” she said.
Diane Zuercher, 35, Digital Media Specialist
A fan for years, Zuercher said Clinton is qualified for the job.
“She just seems like the nerdy chick in the class who always does the homework, and I think she should be president.”
Zuercher hopes that Clinton will address college loans, “take Wall Street to task,” and move the country to a single-payer healthcare system.
Ingrid Declet, 49, Greyhound Driver
“I believe she’s a great person. She believes in Democracy. She’s for women, (and) high wages for working people.”
Declet said times have changed and women deserve an equal wage and childcare options, and believes Clinton will bring both to the country. She also supports Clinton’s initiative to raise the federal minimum wage.
But a topic Declet feels is left out of the discussion: rent. In Bushwick, she said, the rent is too high and getting worse. “All these buildings being built. Who are they building them for?”
Luz Salazar, 66, Retired School Bus Matron
Salazar has lived in Bushwick since moving here from Puerto Rico at age 9. She voted for Clinton because: “I believe in women’s rights.”
“Donald Trump is a womanizer,” she said, “while Clinton’s time in the White House makes her an experienced candidate.”
Salazar also said high rent is a problem in Bushwick. Will Clinton be able to help? “I don’t know if she will, but at least she’s trying.”
