MHS Student Endorses Florsheim

COMMENTARY: Ryan Cudworth is a junior at Middletown High School. 

I’ve known Sebbie Giuliano for years. Going back to eighth grade during the mayor for a day program, I’ve always had a cordial rapport with him, and our talks outside of MHS football games about politics have been, are, and will be an incredibly fond fall memory. We may be of different political persuasions, but I can’t wait to see him again when the dust has settled around this mayoral election. Though when it does, I want Ben Florsheim to be Mayor of Middletown.

While I respect Giuliano, I want a mayor that harnesses the collective strength of our Middletown community, and every single person in it, to make our town what it can and will be. Mr. Giuliano has written off the idea that his election as mayor would make Donald Trump any more or less likely to win in 2020, and while I agree, I want to elect a mayor who I know would never vote for someone who barred our transgender siblings from serving in the military, who welcomes immigrants of all stripes to our community and finalizes our status as a sanctuary city, not who slams a proverbial door in their face, someone that isn’t the member of a party that dragged their heels on same sex marriage for decades and then posts pictures of themselves at a pride parade on Facebook.

I have heard that electing Ben to be our mayor would be taking a chance, when Sebbie provides proven and effective leadership. Yet Ben’s and my generation are always the ones that our society is willing to take a chance on. Whether it’s the climate crisis, gun control, or any other slew of issues, young people are the ones that we are fine with shifting the problems to. Meanwhile, Ben has signed a pledge to never take money from fossil fuel companies and stands steadfast in support of gun control. His entire professional life has been spent ensuring that the resources at the disposal of Senator Chris Murphy are directed toward those who have been left idle by a government that won’t fight for them.

I trust Ben Florsheim with the future of the community that I love because he represents it’s future, and I hope you will too. To Mr. Giuliano: see you on the football field.