Ever since her ultra-pink, super-sassy campaign website appeared online last week, Flatbush’s new candidate for state senate says she’s been running through a 24-hour obstacle course of interviews as reporters try to figure out what makes the 22-year-old the New York Post calls the “magenta yenta” tick.
It wasn’t easy, but Meyer, an Orthodox Jewish conservative who will be facing state Sen. Kevin Parker (D–Flatbush) in November — and admitted to not knowing that Gov. Cuomo passed a historic same-sex marriage law last year — was able to take seven minutes from her busy day (we clocked it) so she could rattle off a few thoughts on her campaign, hydro fracking (which she calls “tampering with water”) and why all those bored legislators in Albany should fear a big, pink makeover.
Courier: Mindy! Thanks for taking a few minutes to talk to us. We can’t see you over the phone, but we’re sure your wearing that signature pink blazer. So, what’s the deal? How will your “Legally Blonde” outlook on life fit in Albany?
Meyer: I think it’s a perfect fit. The senators are probably bored up there. They need someone with my energy and ambition to inspire change. I’m like that energizer battery that keeps going and going. I wanted to sit down with them and show them my ideas and inspire them to take more action and help more people. But my favorite movie isn’t actually “Legally Blonde.” That was completely misreported.
Courier: Well, we strive to be accurate here, so what is your favorite movie?
Meyer: It’s really “The Notebook.”
Courier: Oh. Rock on. Let’s get back to the race. You’re 22-years-old, would you consider your age to be an asset or an obstacle?
Meyer: I see my age as an asset. Look at Mark Zuckerberg and how much he accomplished. I’m young, ambitious, and the younger people want an advocate for their future.
Courier: So what are you going to advocate for?
Meyer: I’m here to be an advocate for younger constituents and the young population, and I want to implement funding to help with that.
Courier: You’re not giving us much here, Mindy. Anything specific?
Meyer: There’s so much crime and we have to channel those energies into something positive. A lot of those people are brilliant and so we need to get them involved in positive things. My opponent has been in office for over 10 years and he recently held an employment fair, and it was very nice, but let’s focus on the children, who are our future, at a younger age. I’m not here to take more tax money from the people, but I’m going to take that money that already exists and put it into summer youth programs so in the future they will not have to go to employment fairs. I want to help them help themselves.
Courier: OK. Let’s talk about Parker for a minute. What makes you a better candidate than him?
Meyer: He’s been in office for over 10 years, and I spoke with many people in my district and asked them to tell me just one thing about Kevin Parker. Most people didn’t know him, and nobody could tell me one thing he’s done for them. So, there’s nothing to lose for voting for me.
Courier: So, because people don’t know Parker, they should vote for you?
Meyer: Why should he keep his tenure when he keeps screwing up? He prides himself by saying he did something for New York City water. We have Poland Spring!
We don’t need the senator tampering with the water.
If that’s all you have to show for 10 years in office, that’s a little embarrassing.
If you don’t trust me, I understand, but with me its 50/50. Parker is 100 percent not there.
Courier: So you’re 50 percent not there?
Meyer: My point is there’s nothing to lose voting for me.
Courier: Your campaign is, how shall we say it, unorthodox. Have you gotten any complaints from your Orthodox Jewish neighbors?
Meyer: No, because the image I’m presenting is not contradictory. There’s pictures of me on my website like any other senator, and, honestly, what’s unorthodox about pink?
I’m not sorry it’s pink, I’m excited. I just feel it will attract more people and get them to the voting booth.
Some people think I’m all pink, diva, and bling, but I’m here to represent what my people want and issues of substance.
I’m gathering international attention and I’m going to channel that into what people want to do in office. I think everybody has to relax.— Colin Mixson
Reach reporter Colin MIxson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4514.
