Power Players in the 2022 Elections

Ben Tulchin, 2022 Pollster of the Year, is the founder and president of Tulchin Research, an award-winning polling and strategic consulting firm. Tulchin provides research and consulting services to a wide range of clients across the country, including ballot measures and electoral campaigns. He served as the pollster and senior strategist for Eric Adams’ successful campaign for mayor of New York City and was Bernie Sanders’ pollster for the Senator’s presidential campaigns. Tulchin’s clients have included California Governor Newsom, the California Assembly Democratic Caucus, Speaker Pelosi, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and the Senate Majority PAC.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
To help those less fortunate and address injustices and inequality in our society.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Addressing income inequality, improving public education, climate change, racial and social injustice, and the threat to democracy promoted by MAGA Republicans. 

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over? 
Spending time with family and the 2023-2024 cycle.

Chris Walsh is a New York City native, a William & Mary alum, and senior advisor to Representative Pat Ryan. Over the last two years, he’s led several teams to victory in New York, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s upset win in 2021 and Representative Pat Ryan’s nationally recognized special election victory and subsequent general election.

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
I was born with several learning disabilities, and experts warned my parents that I would never read, speak without an impediment, or lead an everyday life. But, through a lot of luck and privilege, I got the support I needed to change my path. As a result, I know firsthand the change we need in our system, and that’s why I spend every day working for leaders who are fighting for us.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Our democracy is under a sustained and constant threat. One party in Washington is trying to erode our values and attack our freedoms for personal gain. We must protect the right to vote, the right to choose, the right to marry who we love, to live authentically, and to be safe from gun violence. Now more than ever, we are desperate for serious leaders who will stop at nothing to get it done, and I’ll stop at nothing to elect them.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over? 
Well, Netflix lost its ability to stream West Wing, so I suppose there has never been a better time to learn a hobby. DMs open for suggestions @Chriswalsh1754

Emmy Bengtson and Dan McNally are the co-founders of Wavelength Strategy, a digital firm supporting Democratic campaigns and progressive organizations. Bengtson has 10 years of experience in politics and has worked on campaigns including Hillary for America and Gillibrand 2020. McNally’s experience spans 12 years, including serving as the political director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Most recently, Wavelength Strategy worked on Governor Kathy Hochul’s campaign.

Senator Bill Weber is a lifelong resident of Rockland County and currently lives in the Village of Montebello with his wife and four children. He has been a certified public accountant since 1994 and a certified financial officer for over 20 years. Senator Weber is also a cub scout leader and a board member of the Rockland County Youth Bureau and the Mental Health Association of Rockland. His wife, a 31-year educator, is currently the assistant superintendent of the Suffern Central Schools, and his eldest daughter attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics? 
I saw the state continuing to head in the wrong direction. People and businesses continue to move out of NYS and that has put added pressures on the rest of us who remain here. My background as a CPA and a CFO is something that has been sorely missing in government. I will use my financial acumen to get taxes & spending under control and improve the quality of life for our residents.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today? 
For far too long, we have elected politicians who immediately forget why the voters put them in office in the first place. They look out for their own financial interest and are more concerned about their own re-elections than focusing on the major issues that are affecting their constituents. We need politicians who will work across party lines for the best interest of everyone.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
I look forward to getting to Albany and immediately working for the residents of the 38th district. They are struggling with inflation, high taxes, and the fear of ever rising crime. My goal is to tackle these issues and to make Rockland County a better and more affordable place to live.

L. Joy Williams is president of the Brooklyn NAACP and a nationally respected political strategist. Throughout her career, L. Joy succeeds as a trusted strategic adviser to elected leaders and organizations across the country. She has served in several high-impact leadership positions on behalf of important issues like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York. L. Joy continues to be a respected social justice advocate, exhibit expertise in civic engagement, and demonstrate a strong talent as a political planner and tactician, both in campaign and government politics.

Born and raised in Elmira, New York, George Winner is of counsel at Keyser, Maloney & Winner, LLP. Winner was educated at public schools and then received a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University. After completing a legal clerkship, Winner was admitted to the New York State Bar Association. In 1978, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, serving for 26 years before being elected to the New York State Senate, where he remained until his retirement in 2010. He currently practices law in Elmira and serves on various boards, including as chair of the Elmira College Board of Trustees. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in politics?
After graduating from college, I went to work in the New York State Senate, where I enjoyed the political processes and was impressed by the quality of the representatives and their collegiality. When an opportunity arose to serve in the Assembly, I was successful in that election.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the United States today?
Energy independence, inflation and fiscal restraint, border security.

What are you most looking forward to now that the elections are over?
The emergence of quality and inspirational candidates for the future. Good health and travel opportunities with friends and family.

Keith L.T. Wright is the current leader of the New York County Democrats, a position he has held since 2009.  From 1992 through 2016, Wright served as a member of the New York State Assembly, also serving as co-chair of the New York State Democratic Committee from 2012 to 2014. A lifelong Harlem resident, Wright has made strides in increasing worker’s rights, criminal justice reform, helping small businesses, and creating affordable housing for not only his district but for all of New York. Wright graduated from Rutgers Law School, Tufts University, and the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. Prior to serving as an assembly member, he held positions in the City’s Human Resources Administration, the Manhattan Borough President’s Office, and the New York City Transit Authority.

Congressman Lee Zeldin served New York’s first congressional district from 2015 to 2023. Zeldin ran for New York Governor in the 2022 Elections and became the Republican Party nominee after defeating three challengers in the primary. On November 8th, Zeldin lost the election to incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul and has since joined the board of the Republican Jewish Coalition, which serves as a bridge between the Jewish community and Republican legislators.

Katie Vincentz and Ben Weiner worked as communications director and deputy press secretary for former U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign. Zeldin defeated three challengers in the Republican primary but lost the election to incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul. Vincent now works as communications director for U.S. Senator Tim Scott.