With the political season in full swing, Binghamton University student Anthony Galli decided to try his hand in the local election. On Thursday, he held a rally outside the New University Union to officially kick off his campaign for Broome County Legislator.
Galli, a 21-year-old from Long Island, said he wants to be a new voice for Vestal. He will be challenging the incumbent, Democrat Dan D. Reynolds, for the 4th Legislative District Seat.
He is running on the Republican and Student Voice Party lines.
“I am a Republican, but with the help of fellow students and this community, I created the Student Voice Party, because I believe politics can be more than just Republican and Democrat,” said Galli, a junior majoring in political science. “It can be about representation.”
This campaign is Galli’s first foray into off-campus politics. Galli said he wants to build a direct line of communication between the students and the local government that has not previously existed.
“I wanted to be a strong voice for students,” he said. “I think many times our generation is overlooked. This campaign is for and by students and I want to hear their voice.”
Galli’s platform focuses on creating local jobs so more students stay in the area after graduation.
“BU is more than just a home, it’s a jobs-creating machine,” Galli said. “It doesn’t just put food on our dining hall tables, from Newing to Hinman, but it also puts food on kitchen tables, from Broome to Tioga. We need to tap into this valuable resource so that those who graduate and don’t want to leave don’t have to leave.”
Galli said he enjoys the process of campaigning, regardless of the result.
“I enjoy running and eventually I’ll be in a good position to get things done,” he explained. “I like the campaigning aspect and the aspect of working for people, listening to them and getting things done.”
However, he remains optimistic about his chances to win.
“I think I have a good shot,” Galli said. “It’s not a far stretch.”
After the districts in Broome County were redrawn last year, the BU campus as well as University Plaza were moved into Galli’s district, making students more than half of the total population, Galli said.
“Students should really come out and register to vote, get involved on campus, in politics,” Galli said. “They should make a difference in politics and just make a difference in general. Students need to get out and vote. A voice in local government is a way to counter negativity towards our generation.”
Aaron Ricks, the SA vice president for academic affairs, said he believes Galli’s rally was a good kickoff to “what will probably be an exciting campaign for one of Binghamton’s most enthusiastic students.”
“It’s always great to see one of our fellow students try to make a real difference in the local community to make Binghamton a better place for students,” Ricks said. “I think that if Galli can mobilize support around his student-centered campaign on campus, he’s got a shot of winning this election.”