Our Chair signed the following letter, which was mailed to voters who signed the petition to put One Saratoga candates on the November ballot. We thanked them for their participation while pointing out how the group, in the current election cycle, has been co-opted by Elise Stefanik and other MAGA influencers.
September 2025
Dear Saratoga Springs Voter,
You recently signed a petition in support of the “One Saratoga” line on the ballot in November. Thank you for doing your part to support the electoral process.
In the past, One Saratoga has provided an independent ballot line following their slogan, “City before party”. Unfortunately, in the current election cycle One Saratoga has been co-opted by Elise Stefanik and local MAGA influencers as a smokescreen to lock in Republican control of our City Council.
Rep. Stefanik has openly claimed credit for “flipping the city of Saratoga Springs, a longtime Democrat stronghold, to Republican control.” (Stefanik Press Release June 4, 2025) That was not long after she instigated a Federal Department of Education investigation aimed at cancelling the civil rights policies of the Saratoga Springs School District. Now, her campaign funds are finding their way to the One Saratoga candidates, starting with a $1,000 donation to Republican Chuck Marshall.
All but one of the candidates on the petition you signed are also Republican candidates, praised by Republican Chair Mike Brandi for following his “guiding principles”. Mike Brandi himself carried petitions for One Saratoga rather than for his own party. Another petition carrier is the campaign manager for a Republican candidate; another is the Republican candidate for Saratoga County District Attorney. A Halfmoon resident, he’s one of several petition carriers from towns outside Saratoga Springs who carpetbagged to support this deceptive effort.
We Saratoga Springs voters are smarter than they think we are and won’t be taken in by a smokescreen which hides candidates who are taking money from Elise Stefanik and other MAGA influences. Especially when there is a legitimate alternative on Row A of the ballot—your Saratoga Springs Democrats.
Your Democratic Party is dedicated to making Saratoga work for ALL Saratogians. You will find our platform on our website at saratogadems.org/mission including our position on charter reform, support for neighborhoods, housing affordability, public safety, sensible budget and taxes, a healthy business climate, traffic and transportation, climate resilience and preparedness, and critical infrastructure. You will find no such detailed discussion of issues on One Saratoga’s website.
The One Saratoga slate has not spoken out against the ICE raids and the lack of due process for those detained. Row A Democrats have spoken out and gotten involved.
The One Saratoga candidates have advanced plans for new Public Works and Public Safety facilities that will put our city in debt for decades to come. Row A Democrats have a sensible and affordable approach to these needs.
One Saratoga candidates have marginalized the homeless, deferred action on the low-barrier shelter, and tried to criminalize poverty. The Row A Democrats have tried to get the City Council on board with a low barrier, housing first shelter, but have seen no action by the Mayor.
The Row A Democrats have detailed and proven proposals for addressing housing affordability, short term rentals, public safety and other needs. One Saratoga offers nothing.
Join us in supporting the Democrats on Row A this November 4. They are the only candidates on the ballot that you can be sure will stand against Elise Stefanik and the MAGA candidates running on the One Saratoga smokescreen line. Learn more at saratogadems.org.
For the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee,
Otis Maxwell, Chair
P.S. There is a good reason Elise Stefanik and local MAGA Republicans are co-opting One Saratoga. Many voters are outraged by the actions of the current administration in Washington and local Republicans echo their MAGA tactics through lawsuits, bullying and personal attacks on anyone who disagrees with them. One Saratoga is simply a way to vote for Republican candidates without actually voting for them on the Republican line. Don’t be fooled. Please vote Democratic Row A when you go to the polls this November, or when you vote early or by absentee.
MEET OUR DEMOCRATIC ROW A CANDIDATES
Michele Madigan for Mayor
Dillon Moran for Accounts
Shafer Gaston for Finance
BK Keramati for Public Works
Sarah Burger for County Supervisor
Minita Sanghvi for County Supervisor