Peeling Back the Layers

By its nature, a conversation imparts information, and, typically, the deeper it goes, the more you learn. That is the key thought behind a new project that begins this week, a podcast, “1st District Matters,” that’s a partnership between The Express News Group and WLIW-FM.

Over the years, preparing voters for important elections has always been a challenge. Among the tools that come in handy are “meet the candidates” events, live and virtual debates, interviews with the candidates, news stories focused on the issues and the candidates’ respective positions, and endorsements based on in-depth sitdowns.

This year, the race for the 1st District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes the entire East End, presented an opportunity to try something different. Starting today, a six-part podcast, “1st District Matters,” will let voters hear directly from the two candidates, incumbent Republican Nick LaLota and Democratic challenger John Avlon — as they are in conversation with panelists from both The Express News Group and WLIW-FM, diving deeply into key issues to voters: immigration, public safety, women’s issues, the economy and more.

Two things are important. First, the podcast give voters a chance to hear the candidates themselves — no translation through press releases or news articles — speaking candidly on these subjects. Second, they get time to let the topic unfold more fully than simple sound bites: With follow-up questions and more time to expand on intricate differences, voters can come away with a much clearer picture before casting an informed vote on November 5.

One reason the nation has become so deeply divided is that so many of these crucial issues are pitched as black-and-white topics, when, in fact, there are subtle shades of gray that truly demonstrate a candidate’s inclinations when it comes to casting meaningful votes. Also, the campaign trail is littered with “word salad” and tossed-off phrases that obscure more than they reveal. A respectful conversation peels back the obfuscation and starts to get to where a candidate’s true political beliefs can be found.

“1st District Matters” allows each candidate to speak independently, one after the other. A debate can certainly be helpful in deciding where to cast a vote, but the mano-a-mano nature often creates fireworks that can be entertaining but not so substantive beyond their instant flash. Several minutes into a discussion about, say, the 1st District and the environment, the talking points are exhausted, and the candidates begin to reveal themselves more fully.

WLIW-FM’s involvement overlaps with a larger effort, “Your Election 2024,” a special collection of programs, series, and resources from The WNET Group that are designed to illuminate election issues on-air, online and on YouTube. The podcast “1st District Matters” dovetails nicely with that effort to use multimedia to better inform voters in 2024, especially in the local House race.

It’s worth a reminder that the 1st District is an important one statewide, and it will help settle which party will control the U.S. House of Representatives at a crucial moment in American political history. The voters of the district will speak loudly — and with “1st District Matters,” the goal is for them to speak with authority, and confidence.

The podcast will be available weekly, over the next six weeks, starting today, wherever you get your podcasts — and at 27east.com.