Kamala Harris – Clear Choice for Some

Voters appear divided about the presidential election and the polls fluctuate between putting Vice President Kamala Harris on top slightly one day, and former President Donald Trump on top another. But some feel certain about their candidate. For Margaret Delarosa, a home health aide, it’s a matter of character. “I am voting for Kamala Harris, but I do not know much about her,” she said. “I just don’t like that man (Trump), and he is evil and racist too.”

Margarita Delarosa is my mom, and her opinion about Donald Trump is one that I hear a lot from New Yorkers like her. She came to the United States from Ecuador in 1983 and became a citizen 15 years later. She voted for the first time in 2008 and feels strongly about the importance of voting. She wants her vote to help change immigration policy. “I see them come and get treated so unfairly. It’s almost as if I want to tell them to go home—not because it’s dangerous for us, but because it’s dangerous for them,” she said.

Not everyone puts immigration on the list of reasons to select a candidate. Gen Z voter Andrei Turlea, an advertising and public relations major at The City College of New York (CCNY), was born in Romania. The 21-year-old immigrated to the United States in 2006 and became a citizen 10 years later. He’ll vote for the first time in the-is presidential election. Immigration is not his main issue, but like my mom Andrei will vote for Kamala Harris.

“I believe that the policies she presents align with my morals and values. I’m for access to abortion for women, equal pay, and forgiving student debt,” he said. Andrei comes from a conservative background and his Eastern Orthodox religion is important to him. But he is socially moderate and opposes Donald Trump because he seems to want to restrict the rights of others. “Even though I’m religious, I do not see LGBT individuals or women as less than [men],” he said. “Even if a candidate shares my religious beliefs, I can’t support them if it will negatively impact millions of other Americans.”

My 23-year-old sister, Alexandra Rodriguez, also doesn’t put immigration at the forefront of her issues. She’s worried about the economy. “I remember when a bag of chips and a drink cost $1 at the deli. Now it’s almost $4! Even if I find a job, it will take years to afford to move out, and even longer to live comfortably,” she said.

Alexandra plans to vote for Kamala Harris even though she may not be her perfect candidate.  “I may not agree with her on everything,” she said. “The war in Gaza and her pro-police stance aren’t things I fully support. However, I’d rather deal with those small issues than everything Trump stands for. He is a racist and sexist man who votes against my rights. As a woman, I cannot stand by him.”