To the editor:

On Jan. 4, Rep. Stefanik released a video in which she stated, “I am committed to restoring the faith of the American people in our election — that they are free, fair, secure and according to the U.S. Constitution.” The video was flagged for her false statements about election fraud. She knew that local, state and federal election officials had examined the election results and found them to be accurate with no irregularities. She knew that all the claims of fraud had been thrown out by the courts, all the way to the Supreme Court, for lack of evidence.

How did she think challenging electors by repeating the lies and false claims of election fraud was going to “restore faith”? If she had really wanted to “restore faith,” she would have taken an honest, mature approach and promoted the truth, saying something like, “I know that for many the election did not turn out the way you wanted, but that happens in a democracy. The results have been determined to be fair and accurate.”   

So why did Stefanik do what she did? She is, as always, looking out for herself and her own political standing, not what is best for NY-21 or our country. Then she acted surprised and condemned the violence that ensued. Really? What did she think was going to happen? A D.C. police officer even died protecting her.

I am embarrassed to have Stefanik represent me. Even Stefanik’s alma mater, Harvard, in its paper, the Crimson, has condemned her actions saying her actions were a “knowing betrayal of democracy, an attempted coup.” She “should not peddle unfounded conspiracy theories designed to undermine faith in our election, and Stefanik represents the worst in what we could be.”  

Nina Matteau

Westport