Courage, Service, and the Fight for NY-17: A Conversation with Cait Conley

In this episode of I Live Here Westchester, host Jim Jockle sits down with Cait Conley, a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native, Special Operations combat veteran, and candidate for Congress in New York’s 17th District — one of the most competitive races in the country.

Cait shares how growing up in a blue-collar, service-oriented family shaped her values, why 9/11 led her to West Point, and what it was like to serve for 16 years on active duty, including six combat deployments and groundbreaking work in tactical Special Operations. The conversation moves from the battlefield to the Situation Room, where Cait later helped lead counterterrorism policy at the National Security Council and election security efforts at CISA.

From there, the discussion turns to politics — and the hard questions. Cait lays out her views on affordability, housing, healthcare, AI, climate change as a national security threat, reproductive rights, veterans’ care, and what “political courage” actually means in Washington today. She explains why NY-17 is a true purple district, why she believes voters deserve a different kind of leadership, and what she would prioritize if elected.

This is a candid, high-stakes conversation about service, accountability, and the future of a district — and a country — at a crossroads.

Transcript

James Jockle (00:01)
Kate, first and foremost, it is so nice to meet you and congratulations on what is going to be monumental for you.

Cait Conley (00:11)
I appreciate it very much, Jim. Thanks for having me and really looking forward to the conversation today. But yeah, here's to kicking off 2026 where we're going to be kicking some ass.

James Jockle (00:21)
Well, let's start at the beginning. You're fourth generation Hudson Valley native. What was growing up here like for you and how did your upbringing shape your worldview?

Cait Conley (00:34)
Super.

I think the Hudson Valley is such a special place in terms of how we value service. And that was such an important part of my upbringing and really instilling the values that have shaped who I am today as a person. I come from a blue collar family. My great grandfather and grandfather.

in the brick yard outside of Montrose when that was open. My mom was born in Peekskill. She's been with the US Postal Service for 48 years. And so we have been part of the service to just about every town in the Hudson Valley during her 48 years. And my dad and his family is from Southern Dutchess. So he was born and raised in Hopewell Junction. And he was a construction worker. And so my roots, think the other part of my family roots that's so important and special

is the service to community piece. And my grandfather was the Coast Guard auxiliary commander of the old 20 TAC-1. And that's a whole nother story. The man couldn't even swim, right? But there he was. And so I grew up hanging out outside the Peekskill Yacht Club. Not really a ton of yachts. They're mostly boats. But like, you know, during the days of dredging the huts in, and we can talk about that later, and do we or don't we? But in my family, you know, on a lot of the...

expected to be part of the volunteer fire community, right? So the Cortland fire engine outside of Montrose, my grandfather was there for over 30 years. My uncle passed away last year, even part of 37 years. And so in terms of this essence of service and community, you know, I talked about my mom too. remember.

Christmas Day, we were told to open a couple packages and get in the car back when she was a postmaster. I remember going with her to the Newburgh plant where she'd meet other colleagues of hers from other post offices. And we'd end up picking up packages and going out and delivering them. I remember asking my mom, my mom, it's Christmas Day. The post office is closed. What are we doing? You know? And she'd be like, Kate, this is our responsibility to do this, to make sure people get this.

And you never know if this is going to be the only gift a family receives. And so when you talk about those values of responsibility to community, of hard work and grit and tenacity, those are the values that led me to raising my hand and going to West Point after 9-11 and starting my military career and spending my adult life wearing the uniform, fighting for this country that I love more than anything. ⁓

James Jockle (03:03)
So Kate, let's talk about 9-11. I was down there. It was a profound impact for me. Clearly, it was an impact for you in raising your hand to West Point. I mean, as a young woman, what was that like at that point in time for you?

Cait Conley (03:22)
So I have to ⁓ give, you we talked about the Hudson Valley and that sense of service and patriotism that I think is so profound here. And, you know, I don't always like to talk about Mike Laller, but there is one area where he and I agree wholeheartedly, and that is how he describes the Hudson Valley in New York 17. He calls it, Jim, the district of heroes.

where over 50 % of households are either a veteran, the family of a veteran, a first responder, or the family member of a first responder. So that sense of service to community is so deep. And on 9-11, I was a junior in high school here, and just like so many other Americans, heartbroken and angry and scared over what that meant for our country.

And so for me, going to West Point, I knew that was where I belonged. I was taught to go and fight for what is right, you know, to not be afraid to do the horror right thing. And I also have to give credit to Demi Moore because I don't know if you remember the 1997 classic, G.I. Jane, but I can't tell people enough. I rented that thing from Blockbuster more times than I can possibly count. ⁓

James Jockle (04:32)
I think.

Cait Conley (04:41)
But seeing is believing, right? And so that is what really led me down that journey of saying, if my country needs me, I'm going to be there. And there is no fight that I am too scared to take on for America.

James Jockle (04:54)
I remember G.I. Jane, unfortunately, so does Chris Rock and Will Smith for lack of a better joke. you know, at that point in time, remember glass ceilings being broken with Shannon Faulkner at the Citadel. I mean, how was it at that point in time as a woman coming into really what was a man's world? You know, it was still really evolutionary at that point.

Cait Conley (05:22)
where there were still initial prohibitions on what branches the women could enter into when she graduated and get commissioned into. ⁓ But I will have to tell you what I love about West Point and I tell people that when they start to tell me they're losing faith in America, right, in the institutions, go and visit West Point because there you will see young men and women from all 50 states

from families that represent the entirety of the economic spectrum. Some of our nation's wealthiest families and some of our nation's poorest, right? And they are there for one reason only, Jim, and that is to fight and defend this nation they love. And nothing else matters. What I loved about West Point is at the end of the day, what mattered was your performance, period.

You know, so even going back to, yeah, women, we were less than 20%. You know, certainly wasn't gender parity there, but that is also reflective of the broader armed services. But you were there every day, and everything you did mattered. How fast you were, how strong you were, how smart you were, how tactically proficient you were, how good of a leader you were. And so in that sense, you know, I talk about war is the ultimate equalizer.

Because the enemy doesn't care if you're a man or woman. You're wearing that uniform, and that is all they see. And so going back to, know, I think you saw the gender exclusion policy to end during Iraq and Afghanistan because it didn't make sense, right? Like men and women were equally in the fight. And this nation deserves the most competent and capable military period.

And that means that you want to draw from 100 % of your population to do that, not 50%. So I loved it because it was all about you respected people for getting the mission done.

James Jockle (07:17)
I'll share with you a brief story. A couple of years ago, maybe it was 10 years ago, ⁓ West Point opened up the half marathon to non-students, non-military. My wife and I went up and we did it. And I will say, everybody there, like it was all the cadets, all the male cadets were like, I'm gonna finish this thing as fast as humanly possible. But there was this one woman, young woman, a cadet in full gear.

probably, I don't know, 50, 75 pounds of gear. And like as I'm dying, going up the hill for the second time, past the cathedral, this woman, like the whole time, we just sat there and went, this is the strongest individual I've ever seen in my life. And it was just a testament. And then you really sat there and went, gender barriers don't exist because...

Yeah, it's one thing to do fast in time, but it's another thing to take on that hardship. And she, you know, I don't know who she was, but she exemplified that for me. And that to me was the ultimate spirit of West Point.

Cait Conley (08:27)
I love that. I'm gonna have to use that story too, because to your point, right? It is about pushing yourself. It is about getting the mission done and taking on the load. yeah. All cited.

James Jockle (08:37)
that I've copyrighted that story now.

Fair enough, fair enough. So let's talk about your career, right? I mean, West Point, challenging start for so many of us, know, where 9-11 was that turning point, but you've launched into an extraordinary career. So 16 years of active duty service. First of all, thank you for your service. ⁓ But you've had six combat deployments.

and you were one of the first women in tactical special ops. What was that experience like for you, personally and professionally?

Cait Conley (09:12)
Jim, honestly, I think what fuels me every single day is pushing myself to do the best I can for the American people and for this country. And that was just how I approached my career in service. know, after graduating from my class from West Point, I went off to your point, I served 16 years in active duty, over a decade of that in the special operations community.

And so a lot of the stuff I did, I can't talk about. But what I can generally say is we were the teams that went in to truly find the most brutal terrors in the entire world that were actively plotting to kill Americans and make sure they could not be successful.

And in that sense, I mean, when you talk about the stakes, they could not be higher. It wasn't just the consequences of the men and women in uniform that you were leading and you were out there with, but it was also the consequences felt by the American people if you failed, right? And so when you talk about being able to lead and perform when it matters most, I think those are the expectations that I've always had of myself and to push myself to be the absolute best I can be in terms of a leader, in terms of a soldier.

in terms of an American. And so with that, you know, I am humbled. It was the absolute privilege of a lifetime to lead America's sons and daughters in defense of this nation. The absolute privilege. And again, when I think about this country, what gives me faith in our future is the people who are willing to make that sacrifice, not for themselves, but for this idea of what America is. I think there's nothing more powerful than that.

James Jockle (10:49)
So you've led tactical missions in North Africa, Iraq, in Syria. Any vacation spots you'd like to recommend?

Cait Conley (10:59)
I don't know if I hit any of those. ⁓ Yeah, I would say avoid the Islamic State. That is... Yep.

I mean, look, it is unfortunate when you see the rise of some of these terrorist groups and how they were able to exploit really economic depressions and hardships of people and try to fill those voids. I mean, look, this goes back to you as a military professional and as someone who has been told before, the last thing you ever want is more people go to war, right? Like war is terrible. It should always be the last resort. And there are so many important things that are necessary in order to prevent conflict.

And that is where when you see something like this administration defunding USAID, it's just dumb. Like it literally puts the safety and security of Americans at risk. Because what you don't understand is if America's not out there helping fill those critical, critical shortages, other groups will move in. And we saw this in southern Lebanon.

James Jockle (12:00)
you

Cait Conley (12:01)
You know where 20 years ago when the Lebanese government couldn't meet the needs of the southern Lebanese people after the conflict with Israel, you saw Hezbollah move in and rebuild schools and water plants. And they created the infrastructure that helped communities thrive. And that's how they recruit, you know? And so going back to, yeah, I've gone to some hard places going after the worst of the worst.

You know, whether it was Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan or Al-Qaeda in Iraq or the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. mean, heck, we just, know, Christmas was just a few days ago. If you remember the underwear bomber of 2009, that was a guy from Al-Qaeda in Yemen, otherwise known as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, his name is Terebrou. That tried to blow up an airliner flying from Europe to the US on Christmas Day in 2009.

So as an example, we were the teams that wanted to make sure that group could never be successful at that again, right? And that kind of stuff. So I will say there's some really beautiful spots though in all these parts of the world. I can't say I got to go there, but I know they're there.

James Jockle (13:11)
So your work didn't stop after the Army. You went on to serve at the National Security Council, the CISA. What is something most people don't understand about protecting our democracy from our threats, whether they're foreign or domestic, because there's a lot of threats out there?

Cait Conley (13:30)
is such an important question. I would say there's probably two things that I wish more Americans knew. The first is we cannot think of national security in 2026 like we used to in 1956. Oceans are not going to protect us anymore with the way that technology and the economy are integrated into national security.

you can't look at them as separate things. The example I'll use is, remember back to Colonial Pipeline. That was a state cyber actor that shut down American gas pipelines, right? When you think of things like our ports, I was at senior federal government level when we recognized that 80 % of the cranes operating in American ports were manufactured in China and running Chinese operating technology software.

China could shut down our ports with a stroke of a few keys if they wanted to. And so we can't think about these things in silos anymore.

There is such an interconnectedness of supply chains and the economy with national security. So that's the first thing I'd say, and we have to recognize that. The second thing I'd say, and this goes back to the work I did the last two years at CISA, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, I helped lead the election security mission for the 2024 election cycle. And with that.

We saw our state adversaries, Russia, China, Iran, for the last several years trying to meddle in our democratic process. And what I hope Americans understand is, may use different tactics between cyber and disinformation operations, but they share two objectives. One, to undermine the American people's confidence and the security and integrity of our elections. And two, to stoke partisan discord.

You know, we just recently saw a few weeks ago, it come out that some of the most quote unquote mega social media accounts were actually Russian agents. So this is where our adversaries are coming at us and we as we may not always see and we have to understand that.

James Jockle (15:46)
You know, one of the things that shocked me, I was ⁓ chatting with two friends of mine, ⁓ very senior federal officials, and I jokingly brought up the Russian hack of the ⁓ dam over here in Rybrooke a couple of years ago. It went really under the radar, and one of them went eyes wide like, how did you know about that? I'm like, well, because I watched the news, and the other one was like, really?

So like there's so much going on around us that with all the information flying at us, it's how do you get through all the noise? How do you understand what's real? you know, which brings me to, you you've been sanctioned by Russia, you know, you've hunted terrorists, ⁓ you know, you've secured elections. ⁓ So why would you actually want to run for Congress?

Cait Conley (16:40)
I mean, look, I don't shy away from hard fights for this country, you know? I love it. I'll take on Putin. I'll take on terrorists. I'll take on what is happening now. Because look, everything that we have fought and sacrificed for, you know, for generations, it's now on our shoulders to make sure that this country continues in a way that honors the generations before us. And Jim, I'd say, to my absolute core,

I believe America's best days are still ahead of us. But I also recognize that will not be true if we stay on the path we are currently on. And that getting back on that path to make that statement true is going to take a lot of very hard work. And I think a different kind of leader. And that's why I'm doing this because as someone who's just been in the literal trenches my entire adult life.

trying to build a safer and better future for Americans. I was sick of watching politicians on both sides being responsible for leading this country into this mess. And so we deserve better. I refuse to let politicians ruin what is patriotism and what is this country in our future. And so that's why stepping up here, you know, I used to tell my soldiers doing the right thing when it's easy.

is just doing your job. Doing the right thing when it is hard, when it comes with sacrifice and maybe even personal harm. That is courage. And this nation was built by people in the darkest moments and the hardest hours, stepped up and lived with courage. So Jim, on our watch, there's no way in hell we're gonna let ourselves lose this country. No way.

James Jockle (18:30)
Well,

let's double down on courage because I think DC might be scarier than Syria. ⁓

Cait Conley (18:39)
I think there's not enough people who've lived through some hard things. ⁓ And so I'm excited to bring that there.

James Jockle (18:47)
So what does political courage look like to you? And what do you think is missing most right now in DC? It doesn't matter whatever label, but what do you want to bring to DC for District 17?

Cait Conley (19:00)
spine.

a spine, I don't know, some values. ⁓ I think, look, your job as an elected member of this federal government is to fight for what is in the best interest of the people you have the privilege of representing, to do the right thing for them, not your political career. And what we have seen out of Mike Lawler is the exact opposite. He and I.

We are about the same age. We grew up 30 miles apart. We could not be more different people. For his entire adult life, he has been a political operative and politician. Well, I've spent the last 20 years leading America's sons and daughters in defense of this nation. When it comes to dealing with hard problems and delivering, that is what I do. What he has been doing is avoiding accountability.

in pursuit of his own political desires and dreams. And that kind of selfishness has no place. And I will tell you it is exactly that kind of toxic leadership that has gotten this country in the position it's in.

James Jockle (20:13)
You know, I go back to ⁓ Bush Gore and after the whole hanging Chad incident, there was a amazing article from Time Magazine and it showed the electorate map of the country. And the conclusion of the article is we're not red, we're not blue, we're all purple. And I hate personally being a party line voter. You know, I want to hear what people have to say.

And when I think of NY17, it is a famously split district. have moderate Democrats, independents, Republicans. We can take a look south of us in New York City right now. ⁓ Mendami, as a socialist Democrat, has just come into office. How do you expect to earn trust in such a diverse district?

Cait Conley (21:08)
Honestly, I wish more of America was like this, was purple. Because I think going back to it would force politicians to focus on solving real problems versus just their own like political survival, playing it safe. And so New York's 17. When I was growing up, it was in the Bronx, you know? Every 10 years we go through the census and the last couple of decades, New York has lost seats. So we've had to redraw the lines.

And to your point, know, from 2011 to 2020, New York 17 was two counties, essentially. Rockland and Westchester solidly blew. Joe Biden wins New York 17, the old, by 10 points in 2020. 2021, we reach the lines. And now on the east side of the river, New York 17 gets pushed up.

James Jockle (21:53)
you

Cait Conley (21:58)
So now, instead of being all of Westchester, it's Rockland, Northern Westchester, but now all of Putnam and Southern Dutchess counties. And with that, it fundamentally changes the makeup of New York 17. 28 % of registered voters are unaffiliated. So when you look at what it takes to win, Jimmy.

As a Democrat, you cannot win this district with just the votes of registered Democrats alone. You've got to be able to get a voter to choose you as a person over a party. And honestly, I love that because I think it goes back to look appealing to people as a leader, as a servant. And I have to tell you, somebody who has traveled this district, I don't care how someone registers to vote. I'm hearing the same struggles and they need a leader who's going to actually solve them.

And that's where Mike Lawler has faced and beaten two Democratic politicians already. They were former members of Congress. If we want a different kind of outcome, you need a different kind of Democrat. And Mike Lawler has never had to face someone like me. And I think this is where it's going to be different.

James Jockle (23:12)
So affordability is the mainstream narrative right now. We've seen that ⁓ destroyed did messaging around Mondami in New York. He was very, very focused. It seems to be the main narrative. ⁓ But it's true. The cost of living in the region is hurting families, whether it's housing. ⁓ I could say here in Westchester, the median housing price is absolutely ridiculous. ⁓ It's food, it's childcare.

What's your plan to make life more affordable, ⁓ especially for the middle class ⁓ in NY17? ⁓

Cait Conley (23:51)
So Jim, I think this is a really important point to unpack beyond just the kind of watchword of affordability, right? Like what does that actually mean? So some of the very real problems we are facing here in New York 17 is the lack of economic opportunity for people, especially my age and younger, to stay here, to live here, to raise their families here. And so when you look at affordability losses, are people in...

career fields where they can make a salary or a wage that is going to allow them to even live in the communities that raise them, right? Like I talked about my two sisters. So my mom, a single mom raising three girls working for the United States Postal Service could buy a house in the Hudson Valley for years ago. My two sisters with their families cannot afford to move back to raise their kids in the communities that raise them.

And so when you look at this, it's, I think, economic opportunity. The second piece is housing. And that is both an availability issue and an affordability issue, right? And then you get into, yes, the overall cost of goods. And so I'll unpack those three a little bit. So in terms of economic opportunity,

I will tell you where I am laser focused, especially as we see the economy of the future that is coming down. I do not believe that we can just count on kids pursuing the American dream by attending a four-year university and expecting to be okay on the other side. Look, this summer, we saw for the first time in modern American history how the economic prospects of young Americans are worse than their parents and grandparents. And then the recent college graduate unemployment rate exceed the national average.

We have got to look at this where over the last 20 years, four year college education rates have gone up 41%. We need to diversify the pathways that kids can pursue because it should not put you in lifelong student debt to just make it to the middle class. And so what I talk about here is we've got to be investing in things like BOCES programming and trade skills and healthcare and education.

I think we should be doubling down on the capacity of our BOCES programming because you know what we're definitely going to need over the next 20 years? More electricians, more plumbers, more contractors, and Jim, there's so much honor in that work. You are keeping your communities safe and families safe and healthy.

And so things like that for economic opportunities, expanding the certification programs, increasing apprenticeships, investing in our critical infrastructure to help create those jobs here. At a time where we're facing an energy crisis, we need more alternative energy sources. On the housing side, I'm sorry. Now on the housing side, I mean, look, we do need to increase availability, but we also need to increase the conditions that allow working professionals

James Jockle (26:36)
I'm.

Please, go ahead.

Cait Conley (26:49)
to be able to afford those homes. And this connects my third point about the tariffs. What is not helpful is when you have an executive branch that doesn't actually care about the future of Americans, but instead is looking for ways to line their own pockets and is doing things like implementing arguably illegal and certainly reckless tariffs that are driving up the price of goods and everything from prescriptions to the materials needed to build homes.

This summer, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce talked about how the average cost of building a home in the United States in 2027 is going to go up $14,000 because of the tariffs alone on Canadian lumber and related goods. How the hell does that make sense? So it's stuff like that, Jim, you know?

James Jockle (27:35)
Now, what is your position on AI? So much has been talked about in terms of, ⁓ AI is coming from my job. You know, there's the other side of it of we're going to build AI here. We're going to have chip manufacturers. We're going to give money to Intel, all of this stuff. But, you know, there is real implications as to computers being able to do tasks, not necessarily replace the

purpose of an individual, but no one, no politician seems to be talking about AI at this point. Do you have a position on that?

Cait Conley (28:13)
Yeah, I think we need to be very grounded in the realities that are going to unfold. Look, I'm a tech optimist. I believe that AI is going to help us do things like cure cancer, figure out how we reverse the impacts of climate change, and help us build better technology that will make this world safer and healthier.

James Jockle (28:15)
you

Cait Conley (28:32)
I also believe it is going to significantly impact the American workforce and global workforce and that it is negligent if we as a government do not find a pathway to ensure that Americans still have economic opportunities, work opportunities. And this goes back to my first part about the trade skill investment. I think the way that we can initially tackle this is by absolutely creating and investing in more pathways for jobs that AI is not going to replace, but

may enable. And I think that's where you're talking about things like, look, we're still going to need nurses and doctors. Will AI make medical treatment more accurate and effective? Yes. But we are still going to need a human to treat humans. Same thing with education. It is going to help us figure out how we can better meet the educational needs and preferences of students and help them learn better.

but we're still gonna need the human teacher to be there to help counsel and coach the kid. And the same thing with the trade skills, right? And so I think it is, we need to recognize where the future opportunity lies, encourage kids to pursue those and help create those vehicles, as well as retraining programs. But I absolutely think that we need to make sure we are executing our AI powered future responsibly. And this is where, you know, to say that there are no guardrails and to let tech companies do whatever the hell they want.

James Jockle (29:48)
Thank

Cait Conley (29:55)
Yeah, that worked really well with social media. Like, come on, we've already learned this lesson. And I really call bullshit when people are like, well, regulation is going to stop innovation and China is going to beat us. I'm sorry. You think China is not regulating their AI development? They are.

James Jockle (30:14)
So I want lean into the social media aspect here. And you've led counterterrorism operations abroad. And it's funny. So I graduated college in 1994. So we left the 60s before I was born in a high area of protest and sit-ins and unrest ⁓ in colleges. And then let's say in the 80s and 90s, it kind of went away. And there was always like

one guy standing outside the cafeteria dressed in black with a candle. And then all of a sudden, you know, the last five, 10 years, things seem very organized. Things ⁓ seem to be very planned nationally. ⁓ You know, how should we be thinking about whether it's social media and incitement of particular groups, but how should we be addressing homegrown extremism?

here at home.

Cait Conley (31:15)
mean, look, we have watched as ISIS, right, the Islamic State recruited and radicalized Americans here. I mean, I think the Central Command, so the US Geographic Combatant Command are responsible for the Middle East, which is called Central Command. General Corrilla, I think it was in 2025, he talked about how there were 11 known ISIS, like Islamic State related plots or attempted attacks that were thwarted.

here in the United States, right? So to your point, we still see groups doing that. We see other forms of extremist groups leveraging social media to do that too. And so this goes back to, I do think the FBI has a responsibility to make sure that they are preventing those types of activities from manifesting the violence that are gonna cause to American lives. And that threat is very, very real. But I also think this goes back to what we have seen by social media companies and those leaders.

is a complete dereliction of any responsibility they have to the American people. You know, they've walked away from trust and safety responsibilities. And it just goes to show the only thing they care about is lining their pockets. You know, and they're going to play to whatever political wind will lead to more money. And it is really disappointing. I think this goes back to at a time where our nation needs more profiles of courage, we're seeing cowardice. And this goes back to accountability.

James Jockle (32:39)
I don't think that's anything new though. I think it's just more transparent. mean, would you agree with that? I can't imagine, you know, back in the day, the JP Morgans of the world in the 1920s were, you know, lining pockets and standing and gaining political favor. I think it's just more in your face at this point.

Cait Conley (32:59)
I mean, I think we've seen business leaders in prior eras step up and do the right thing for this country, even if it's not always the best thing for their profit margin. And I think we've seen great examples of corporate leadership in American history and doing things because it was the right thing to do. We saw that during COVID from some companies. I don't think we see that from the tech industry, especially the social media industry. ⁓

There's still time for them to try to find themselves and I hope they do. But I am not inspired by what I'm seeing there and I think that goes back to you. Americans deserve better. You know, and we need to recognize that the path we are not is not what is in America's long term best interest.

James Jockle (33:45)
Okay, you've connected climate to national security. Perhaps you can enlighten us on that connection a little bit.

Cait Conley (33:54)
We talked at the beginning about my childhood. I grew up when we were debating, do we dredge the Hudson or not? Meanwhile, I'm swimming in it, fishing. ⁓ In my lifetime, I have seen how climate change has been an academic discussion and an environmental discussion.

to now a national security crisis. There are Americans dying, communities being displaced, and businesses devastated because of the effects of extreme weather linked to climate change. That's not a hypothesis. That's not an idea. That is a fact. And so we have to, we have, especially as leaders and as a government, we have a responsibility to the American people to deal with the facts, especially when they're hard.

And that's where I am just aghast, I'm disgusted by this administration that is trying to question climate change. Is it real? And back us away from global leadership when literally Americans are dying because of it. You talk to people who can't afford to ensure their homes anymore in some states because of the risks of flooding. Try to tell them climate change isn't real.

And so this goes back to this is now an economic crisis. It is a national security crisis. The safety and security of American families is at stake. And if we look at this the right way, this is a problem we can also solve and create economic opportunity by investing in better industries like solar and wind. Something again, this administration has clawed back investment that Mike Lawler has enabled and overseen and allowed.

James Jockle (35:41)
Now, I love the passion. That's what we need. We need passion, you know, not talking points, passion, passion to get stuff done. ⁓ You know, one thing, you know, that has come up many, many times and it seems to have kind of gone away out of the narrative is really around reproductive rights. And you've made your support clear of codifying reproductive rights.

Cait Conley (35:41)
I'm getting tired up, Jim. My neck pain is going.

James Jockle (36:07)
Would you support federal legislation to protect abortion access nationwide?

Cait Conley (36:12)
Yes, 100%. We must do this. And you know what I would even go a step further in and the anger I have with what we have seen this Trump administration enabled by a GOP controlled Congress do is you see things like the provisions in just this recent budget bill where it is actually stripping federal funding away from healthcare facilities that offer abortion access.

This is insanity. You are attacking women's healthcare, men's healthcare, American's healthcare. You know, just look at here, Planned Parenthood in New York 17. You know, we're serviced by the Hudson-Piconic chapter where we've got two mobile clinics and 11 brick and mortar. In 2024, these clinics provided over 94,000.

basic health care services like annual tests and pre-cancer screenings. That is health care. And so this is where I am disgusted what we are seeing is truly a war on women's health care. And so yes, I would support that. We also need to make sure that federal dollars can go back to health care facilities and end this war on women's health.

James Jockle (37:34)
Let's talk about veterans. You're a veteran. ⁓ My father was a veteran. ⁓ Where do you see the state of veterans affairs and what do you think can be ⁓ improved going forward?

Cait Conley (37:51)
think the quality of veterans healthcare is always a thing that comes up but not enough progress is made on. You know, I mean, let's be real, years ago it took veterans dying because they were waiting to be seen by doctors for us to finally say we're gonna do something about it. And I think you see this as a talking point every year, but in terms of real investment into the quality of care, we haven't seen anywhere near what I believe is deserved.

And with this administration, we just saw tens of thousands of VA employees getting cut. So this is where, while this administration might try to pretend like it's for veterans and their welfare, it's utter bullshit. They literally just pulled critical, critical personnel.

away from this department at a time where if you talk to a vet, they'll tell you staffing certainly isn't where it needs to be, right? We're already facing a staffing shortage. And so again, I think you see this administration giving you a lot of lip service, but no actual service.

James Jockle (38:55)
You've raised a lot of significant funds. You've received very many key endorsements, but you are also facing a crowded primary and a tough general election. cannot imagine how much national money is going to be coming in in every direction because New York 17 is a very high profile district. So what's your pitch to the undecided voter in this district?

Cait Conley (39:26)
You deserve better. You know, since Mike Lawler has been elected in November of 2022, it has only been harder to put food on your table, a roof over your family's head, afford health care, or give your kids a better future. And you deserve better. And I will be better for you.

I promise you, every single day, I will fight to make sure your interests are always at the forefront and we are making your life better. We've got to make America work for working Americans. And so Jim, with that, like, yeah, we've got a primary field. Look, I love competition. I think it's good. It'll get us suited up and ready to go because Mike Loller is going to be hard with me. And I think this goes back to, look.

I believe that the stakes here could not be higher. The consequence of this election won't just be felt in New York 17, they'll be felt across New York and across the country. We cannot afford to lose to this guy again. And with that, I think it's gonna take a different kind of Democrat to get a different kind of result. And that is why we're building the campaign we're building, To make sure we send him packing.

James Jockle (40:38)
And if a look.

So

I love it. So if elected, what's the first bill you'd introduce?

Cait Conley (40:49)
reintroduce the premium tax credits for healthcare. The fact that this has not happened is absurd. And I would absolutely end the reckless and I would illegal tariffs that this administration has implemented. So I would say the first thing is stop the bleeding because those have very real consequences for American families that is only pouring fuel on the fire of the affordability crisis. That is step one.

James Jockle (41:18)
Final question. What's one thing voters need to know about you that won't fit on a mailer or a campaign ad?

Cait Conley (41:27)
I am a huge dog lover. And so my dogs will probably not be on any of those because they are never still long enough for that to happen. But I'm a huge, huge dog lover. ⁓ And so sometimes they graze the social media pages. They were on our holiday card this year, Charlie and Rue. But yeah, love shelter bucks. They're a special place in my heart.

James Jockle (41:52)
And you just

isolated all feline lovers in the district. Not a good call. Kate, I want to thank you for your passion ⁓ and your commitment to undertake something that I would absolutely never do. So thank you so much for sharing your story, sharing your vision. And I want to wish you the best of luck in your pursuit.

Cait Conley (41:57)
Love them, I know, I know. Love all animals.

Appreciate the time and appreciate everybody dialing in. Let's go Kicks and Mass in 26.