Voter files
The most hotly contested presidential contest in decades is driving some voters to the polls for the first time in their lives, or to take philosophical U-turns.
New Yorkers told The Post their motivations for backing President Trump or Joe Biden, including the rise in crime and the coronavirus pandemic — which has touched each in different ways.
Another is making an interesting split, supporting Trump and progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Barry Crupi, 41 Neighborhood: Great Kills, SI Profession: auto-body shop owner Last time he voted: never Who he’s voting for this year: Trump
“I registered a few months ago and I’m now a Republican. Before, I didn’t want to be bothered. The riots happening in Democratic cities changed all that, and so did a dangerous spike in violent crimes on Staten Island. My vote is going to Nicole Malliotakis for Congress and to Trump. I don’t like every single thing about Trump, but a lot of what he does is good. He shows just how biased the media are . . . I’m a single dad to an 11-year-old son. I own my own business, Barry’s Auto Body, and the shutdowns have really hurt. The Democrats think they can shut everyone’s business down . . . That’s communism as far as I’m concerned. The Democrats care more about rioting criminals than hardworking Americans. I can’t wait to get in the voting booth.” (As told to Doree Lewak)
Aria Zelnik, 38 Neighborhood: West Village Profession: freelance publicist Last time she voted: never Who she’s voting for this year: Biden “I’ve always followed politics and the news . . . but I never felt compelled to vote. Even though I’ve lived in two swing states — Florida and Ohio — as an adult of voting age, I never really thought my vote would make a difference. But the pandemic made me want to vote for the first time in my life. My vote for Joe Biden is a rebuke to Trump’s handling of COVID, because of my 28-yearold brother, who still deals with residual health issues after his bout with the virus in March. Trump was callous about COVID when he recently said, ‘Don’t be afraid.’ It took me 20 years to have a personal stake in the political process, but I finally wanted to use my vote as my voice.” (As told to DL)
Yahay Obeid, 37 Neighborhood: Morris Park, The Bronx Profession: air-traffic control supervisor at JFK Airport Last time he voted: in 2016 (for Hillary Clinton); in 2018 (for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) Who he’s voting for this year: Trump and Ocasio-Cortez
“People call me crazy for voting for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Donald Trump. But I have always been a very independent person. I’m originally from central Yemen and immigrated to the United States when I was 8 years old. The Yemeni community loves AOC and Trump, though many are afraid to admit the latter . . . In 2016, Trump put me off with his calls to ban Muslims from entering the United States. But Trump has brought big and positive changes to the Middle East and reined in Iran . . . I’m also a very big supporter of law enforcement. Democrats have been a real disappointment lately.”