Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James Brings Message of Justice, Working Families, and Community Power to Oneida County
WHITESBORO, NY — New York State Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James delivered a powerful message of justice, accountability, and community protection during the Oneida County Democratic Committee Summer Fundraiser held Tuesday, June 16, at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro.
The evening brought together Democratic leaders, educators, community advocates, labor supporters, and residents from across the region. Among those recognized or in attendance were Congressman John W. Mannion, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, MVCC President Dr. Randall VanWagoner, SUNY Polytechnic Institute President Dr. Winston Oluwole “Wole” Soboyejo, Oneida County Democratic leaders, and community partners from across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.
Evon Ervin, Executive Director of Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, introduced Attorney General James and spoke about her long record of standing up for communities that too often go unheard.
“I have watched Attorney General Tish James stand flatfooted and fight against injustice,” said Evon Ervin, Executive Director of MVCAA. “She does not back down when families, children, seniors, workers, and vulnerable communities need protection. Her leadership reminds us that public service must be rooted in courage, accountability, and a commitment to making sure every person is seen and heard.”
Attorney General James reflected on the women who helped shape her public service, including former Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito and the late former Assemblywoman Kathy Nolan, describing them as role models who stood strong, spoke truth to power, and refused to be silenced.
James also highlighted her office’s work protecting children and families from lead exposure. She spoke about securing funds from legal settlements involving lead-contaminated children’s products and directing resources back into communities harmed by unsafe corporate practices. She described a Syracuse project that created a safe, lead-free temporary home for families whose children tested positive for lead and needed a place to stay while their homes were being remediated.
“When justice is served, those resources should go back into communities,” James said. “They should repair harm, protect families, and help children live in safe and healthy homes.”
James also addressed the needs of mobile home owners across Upstate New York, many of whom she said have felt ignored by elected officials. She discussed concerns involving rent increases, septic systems, foundation issues, and basic standards of habitability. James said her office is working with state legislators to ensure mobile home residents receive fair treatment and legal protections.
“Every community in this state deserves to be seen, heard, and protected,” James said. “No matter the size of your town, your ZIP code, your income, or your background, government must respond to your needs.”
Attorney General James also spoke about affordability, consumer protection, and her office’s support for legislation banning surveillance pricing. She explained that surveillance pricing allows companies to use personal data and algorithms to determine what different consumers pay for the same product. James said the practice violates consumer privacy and can unfairly raise prices on working families.
Education was also a major focus of her remarks. James warned against efforts to dismantle or weaken the U.S. Department of Education and called for continued investment in students, schools, and working families. She praised Congressman John W. Mannion’s background as an educator and said that if Democrats regain control of the House, Mannion would be positioned to chair the House Education and Workforce Committee.
James also urged voters to support Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, whom she called a steady and effective public servant who protects pensions and delivers for New Yorkers.
In her remarks, James connected the fight for education to broader protections for seniors, veterans, children, and families. She called for defending Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, affordable housing, clean water, accessible healthcare, and good-paying union jobs.
“Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, affordable housing, clean water, accessible healthcare, and good-paying union jobs are not luxuries,” James said. “They are lifelines.”
Attorney General James also spoke about voting rights and her office’s legal fight against federal efforts to obtain voter information and restrict mail-in ballots. She emphasized that elections are administered by states and that voters must not be intimidated, silenced, or denied access to the ballot.
James closed by urging attendees to organize, mobilize, vote, and speak with neighbors across political and geographic lines.
“This work is not about self-promotion,” James said. “It is about service. It is about showing people that government can respond to their needs and improve their lives.”
The evening’s message centered on unity, democracy, and the belief that every person deserves dignity, safety, opportunity, and a voice.
“Every person in New York deserves to know that they matter,” James said. “They deserve to know that they are heard. They deserve to know that they are seen. And together, we will continue to fight for justice, protect our democracy, and build a stronger future for all.”
