On Monday, February 12, an estimated 700 people gathered at the State Theater to attend a round table among candidates competing for the Democratic nomination for the November congressional election in New York’s 23rd Congressional District. The discussion, which was attended by six of the seven Democratic candidates, was followed by a straw poll, voted by 571 attendees. The next day, it was announced that the poll was won by Cornell’s former Director of Information Technology Policy, Tracy Mitrano, who received 297 votes, just above half of those cast.
In the discussion, hosted by former Tompkins County Legislator Barbara Mink, candidates discussed a range of issues, including gun control, the opioid epidemic, and strategies to defeat incumbent Republican representative Tom Reed. Although the candidates shared similar views on most issues, what they chose to emphasize differentiated them. For instance, Lawyer Eddie Sundquist of Jamestown highlighted the extent his own campaign setup as something other candidates lacked: “We will knock on more doors, we will make more calls, we will work later nights than anyone else in this race,” he said in his closing remarks.
Speaking next was Ian Golden, owner of the Finger Lakes Running and Triathlon Company, who brought up his rural upbringing as something that had shaped him and given him an understanding of the struggles faced by people throughout the district.
Retired cardiologist Linda Andrei used her closing remarks to discuss what she saw as the social contract that had historically supported Americans, as well as the importance of expanding healthcare.
Fourth to give closing remarks was Tracy Mitrano, the eventual winner of the night’s straw poll, who listed ways to bring economic opportunity to the district: through supporting education, expanding infrastructure, and reforming labor laws.
Max Della Pia, a retired Air Force Colonel, brought up his own background in the military as well as challenges faced by his own family members which led him to support issues such as universal healthcare and transgender rights.
Finally, former Congressional Budget Office economist Charles Whalen, who has since dropped out of the race, brought up common goals of people across the district, regardless of their party affiliation, while criticizing the influence of Washington elites from outside the district.
The seventh candidate in the race for the nomination, schoolteacher Rick Gallant, was ill the evening of the forum. A statement written by Gallant was read near the end, emphasizing his years of experience in teaching as well as in the teacher’s union.
The primary that will officially determine the nominee will not be held until June, although some county Democratic Committees in the district have already endorsed candidates for the time leading up to that primary. Additionally, in late February, New York’s Working Families Party made the decision to endorse Mitrano in the race. In addition to endorsements, candidates may have been seeking to catch the eye of potential donors. So far, fundraising efforts from Democratic candidates have been dwarfed by those on the side of incumbent Tom Reed. According to The Buffalo News, at the end of 2017, the Democratic campaign with the most cash on hand was that of Linda Andrei, with $131,231. On the opposite side, Tom Reed, who faces no primary challengers, has raised over $1 million for his 2018 campaign.
This election season marks a substantial change from previous ones in the district, with Democratic primaries in 2014 and 2016 having been uncontested, with only one candidate running for the nomination each time. The Democratic party is bolstering its efforts, both locally and nationally, in their effort to retake the Senate and House of Representatives in this year’s midterm elections.