In a borough that votes overwhelmingly Republican, applause greeted Democratic U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at a town hall Friday hosted at Snug Harbor Cultural Center.
It's one of many Gillibrand is holding across the state.
And on Staten Island, healthcare was on the top of most voters' minds.
"Why can't anyone come up with an alternative or option plan to Obamacare that actually works and functions for all?" asked one audience member.
Gillibrand is in favor of a single-payer system or "Medicare for all."
It's a system where anyone can buy into Medicare at a fixed percentage of their income.
"Healthcare should be a right, it should not be a privilege! And right now it's a privilege for the wealthy," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
On the local level, residents brought up the environment and protecting the borough from over development.
"I live next to Mount Manresa which was a beautiful retreat center with very very old trees, probably some of the oldest in the city, and it was destroyed," said one Staten Islander.
Some are calling on the Senator to do more to help improve transportation to and from the Island.
"My commute used to include a bus, a ferry, and a subway -- so three different things that can go wrong in one commute," said New Brighton resident Lenny Librizzi. It's really important that the Senator and our other representatives, the whole contingent from New York State support the needs of Staten Island in terms of transportation."
While the focus of the town hall was heavy on healthcare, some were surprised the opioid epidemic and immigration issues weren't brought up at all.
"We wanted to hear a little bit more of the nuts and bolts of the policies, what is she going to do to insure we get Medicare for all type healthcare legislation, how are we going to get immigration reform, protect DACA and immigrant youth and the Dreamers?" asked Cesar Vargas, an attorney on Staten Island.
When asked about running for higher office, Gillbrand says she's focused on the Senate.