New York Voters Choose Clinton and Trump

Charlotte talks with voter Caroline Blum in New York City.

The New York State primary elections were held on April 19. That day, I visited a polling place on the Upper West Side in New York City. Most Republican voters were deciding between former Ohio Governor John Kasich and New York City born-and-raised businessman Donald Trump.

On the Democratic side, former New York Senator Hillary Clinton went up against Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a native of Brooklyn, New York. Clinton defeated Sanders, coming away with 58 percent of the Democratic vote. Trump, who did poorly among voters in New York City, crushed his Republican competitors statewide. Kasich came in second and Ted Cruz a distant third.

New York City is overwhelmingly Democratic, and most voters chose Clinton. “I’m voting for her because she is the strongest Democrat running, and I’m really excited to have a woman president,” said Caroline Blum.

When asked which issues mattered to her the most, Clinton voter Ava Huang said: “The environment, what we’re doing about immigration, and health-care reform.”

REPRESENTING ALL AMERICANS

Sanders supporters were enthusiastic about their candidate, despite his disappointing showing in New York. “Sanders has the energy to shake up the established order,” said Leonard Valenzuela. “I think the biggest issue everyone is facing is a rise in economic equality.”

Bernie Sanders stickers on a Trump Tower sign. The New York City building is owned by Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Gilbert Gaynor said that he voted for Sanders because he is “somebody who will respect the interests of the middle class, working class, and poor Americans who are currently under-represented in our political process.”

Gaynor also talked about Trump, the Republican front-runner whose controversial statements about minorities and illegal immigrants have made headlines. “He has tapped into a genuine vein of populist anger and is a refreshing change in the Republican Party,” Gaynor said, “but he should not be elected President.”

Several voters said that the tone of this campaign season has not been as civilized as in past elections. Jeffrey Weinstein described the 2016 campaign as “completely different, almost like a game. The election will prove that, ultimately, the country wants a serious candidate.”

What qualities do voters want to see in their next president? Weinstein said that he or she should be “someone who believes in very important principles, but also has the practical experience to make things happen.”

Tracy Collins is looking for an individual “who listens to others, who cares, and who is passionate about what they do.”