Candidates for the General Election: In Their Words

Editor’s Note: Iron String Press reached out to candidates in statewide races for the November 5, 2024 General Election, as well as those running in the City of Oneonta, for their thoughts on why voters should choose them at the polls. Here are their responses, in the order that they appear on the ballot:

UNITED STATES SENATOR

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Did not respond to e-mail inquiries.

Michael D. Sapraicone

Did not respond to e-mail inquiries.

Diane Sare

I am the only peace candidate running in this race. If Senator Gillibrand and Mike Sapraicone meant what they said at the recent candidates’ debate, they both agree that Ukraine and Israel should be sent unlimited funds and weapons with no strings attached. This cannot possibly be in the interest of the American people.

I believe we should stop sending weapons to rogue regimes which are putting the world at risk of nuclear war. The United States must strengthen our industrial base with adequate energy and water resources. We need nuclear power and high-speed rail. If we can offer economic prosperity for ourselves and other nations, we will be able to bring peace and security. If we seek war, we will reap what we sow.

For 32 years, I worked with former presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche, who was the leading physical economist of the United States. He warned that Nixon’s decoupling of the dollar from the gold reserve system would lead to perpetual war and fascism. It has.

We must return to the founding principles of our nation, namely that each person is equal and should have an equal opportunity to develop his or her talents for the benefit of all. The Erie Canal unleashed the productive power of the State of New York—a modern rail system today would pull the nation together and allow us to dramatically raise the standard of living for our people.

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, DISTRICT 19

Josh Riley

I’m a fifth-generation Upstate New Yorker, born-and-raised in a working-class neighborhood in Endicott. My family came here over a century ago to work in the local factories.

As I was growing up, I saw our community lose jobs as the plants closed down. I delivered the paper every morning, and saw headlines about Upstate’s job losses right next to headlines about Wall Street’s soaring profits. I saw firsthand how our community was sold out by greed in our economy and corruption in our politics. Now I’m running for Congress to take on the corrupt politicians and special interests who put themselves ahead of us.

I’m fighting to give working families a fair shot to get ahead—taking on corporate price gougers to lower costs, and creating opportunity by bringing back good paying manufacturing jobs. I trust women to make their own healthcare decisions, which is why I’ll always protect abortion access. And I’m not taking any corporate PAC money because I’m going to Congress to fight for neighborhoods like the one I grew up in, not the special interests.

As a Democrat who comes from a Republican family, I’ve never been afraid to call out my own party when I think they’re wrong—that’s why I’ve taken career politicians from both parties to task for failing to secure our Southern border.

Democrat, Republican, Independent or something in between, there is a home for you in this campaign and on Tuesday, November 5th, I’d be honored to have your vote.

Marcus Molinaro

Growing up, my family struggled. We worked hard and at times relied on food stamps. When I first ran, I promised to solve problems for working class families like the one I grew up in.

Two years later, I’ve delivered real results. I’m ranked the most bipartisan in New York and the fourth in Congress for passing bills. I’ve focused on our issues to make progress on affordability, protecting Social Security and Medicare, supporting those with disabilities, and delivering relief to our agricultural community.

On the issues I’m sure you’re hearing a lot about, let me tell you where I stand.

On border security, I’ve become a leading advocate for closing the border and in May 2023, voted to pass the Secure the Border Act. It’s the strictest border security bill in generations and if President Biden would sign it into law—it would make a massive difference. It reinstates Remain in Mexico, and deploys physical barriers and innovative technology at the border to stop the unmitigated flow of illegal crossings and deadly drugs. And importantly, it fully funds law enforcement.

On reproductive health, I believe healthcare decisions should be between a woman and her doctor, not Washington. I kept my promise to reject a national abortion ban—keeping New York’s laws in place. And I bucked my own party as the first Republican to back legislation protecting IVF, birth control, and mifepristone.

I’m asking for your vote to continue fighting for our priorities.

STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 51

Michele Frazier

As rural New Yorkers, we all want our communities to thrive. Growing up in a large family flower business in Oneonta, I understand what it means to put in the work to make things grow.

From working as a crisis intervention worker to a professor at an access institution, I have committed to making our communities better. The housing crisis is real in our area. I’ve got a plan to help our communities solve this crisis. When people find stable housing, they plant roots and invest in their communities. We also want to feel safe in our communities. I want to expand 911 to include mental health, domestic violence and substance abuse professionals to free up our law enforcement to protect our communities while also providing more comprehensive services for our people in crisis.

Finally, as a mom of three children, two of whom have special needs, and the daughter of an aging parent, I want to make sure we take care of our families. I want to make sure our seniors have in-home care, transportation, and nursing homes that are for people and not profits. This year, New York will rework the formula for K-12 education. Rural New York needs a representative who will show up, do the work and bring our voice to that discussion and so many more. If we leave our seat at the table to a person who doesn’t show up to meetings, we have left ourselves on the menu.

Rural New Yorkers deserve their seat at the table.

Peter Oberacker

As your senator, and having served as a town supervisor, Otsego County board member, and an active volunteer first responder, I understand the challenges our communities face and will continue to work tirelessly to address them.

Fighting for Affordability: I am committed to making New York affordable again. The left’s extreme policies have strained our families and businesses. I’m dedicated to lowering taxes, cutting wasteful spending, and ensuring hard-working families can live, work, and retire here.

Protecting Public Safety: I will remain a strong voice against dangerous bail laws, fighting to keep criminals off our streets and end the revolving door of crime in our communities. I’m proud to cosponsor legislation to repeal bail reform, restoring judicial discretion and safeguarding our neighborhoods.

Supporting Local Heroes: As one of the few active first responders in the State Senate, my support for law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS personnel is unwavering. I’ve pushed to make EMS an essential service, which has passed the Senate. My electronic appearance bill was recently signed into law, improving safety by streamlining legal proceedings and enhancing our justice system.

I humbly ask for your vote on or before November 5 to continue the fight for affordability, safety and a brighter future for Upstate New Yorkers.

MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY, DISTRICT 102

Janet Tweed

I’m a physical therapist, local elected official and candidate for New York State Assembly 102. I’ve achieved difficult goals at the town and village level by collaborating across the political spectrum.

If elected, I’d be one of few legislators in Albany who are frontline healthcare workers. Healthcare accessibility and affordability are some of my top priorities, and I’d provide a needed voice on how legislative changes would impact providers and patients. I support the New York Health Act, which would ensure universal coverage of all New Yorkers at lower cost than our current system.

Another top priority is strengthening our economy through maintaining critical infrastructure, and expanding our stock of safe, affordable housing. I’ll work with private and state leaders to improve our housing stock in ways that are collaborative and respect home rule.

I also want to protect our environment, both from climate change and from inappropriate renewable energy infrastructure. I support incentivizing solar construction on buildings, parking lots, and brownfields—not on our prime farmland. My opponent, Chris Tague voted against an offshore wind project in Long Island, even though it will protect roughly 5,000 upstate acres from solar development. Tague’s only legislative contributions over the last five years are several “awareness” proclamations. We deserve better.

I’m committed to serving all residents of the 102nd, regardless of political affiliation, and I’ll put in the work to find collaborative, affordable solutions. Learn more at: janettweed.com.

Christopher Tague

Experience, bipartisanship, common sense. That’s what I bring to the table as a New York State assemblyman. That’s what I’ve done for the past six years. Our state is struggling with a number of long-term problems that the current status quo seems unable to account for, and that’s what I continue to fight against. The influx of illegal migrants into this state is staggering, and our current method of addressing the issue—sending reimbursement funds to New York City in the billions of dollars—isn’t fixing anything. If anything, it’s a slap in the face to the hardworking New Yorkers struggling to keep food on the table and gas in their cars. Where is their support from the state government?

We aren’t only facing an immigration and affordability crisis, though. Rural New York, like the area we call home, continues to struggle with establishing reliable infrastructure, from solid roads to our broadband Internet connection. We have homeless veterans on the street, our people are struggling under the weight of this state’s regulations and inconsistent support.

My hope is that we can continue to return common sense to Albany with a combination of accountability, education and experience, all of which I believe I bring to the table. And I’ve received a number of endorsements this year from multiple groups that seem to agree, from NYSUT to the New York State Troopers PBA to the New York AFL-CIO to the NFIB. I’m ready to continue the important work.

MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY, DISTRICT 118

Robert J. Smullen

Did not respond to e-mail inquiries.

MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY, DISTRICT 121

Vicki Davis

People deserve responsible representation. We need a stronger voice representing us at the state level. A voice willing to work with everyone from both sides of the house. A voice that supports the mutual benefits available when rural and urban citizens work together. A voice that will be a resource for all of the district. I will be that voice.

I have a lifelong career as a professional set designer. It’s a field that demands collaboration, attention to detail, budget and labor consciousness. It is a problem solver’s dream job and I will bring these skills to my role in the Assembly. As a university faculty member, I am attuned to the educational system and its value as a resource to our communities. As a long-time member of our area, I am invested in Central New York, and have served decades as a community organizer and volunteer. My belief and faith in democracy is what influenced my interest in joining my union. When people work together collectively they make the world better for everyone.

Rural needs are different than urban ones. Our situation must be a part of the conversation on the state level. We hold unique assets and they must be protected. It is crucial that as the assemblypersons we be of service to the entire district, creating programs to serve our constituents, providing resources and information, and bringing support to those in need.

With your support, I will represent all of the people of District 121. Thank you.

Joe Angelino

Did not respond to e-mail inquiries.

Member of Assembly, District 122

Adrienne Martini

I ran for the Otsego County Board of Representatives in 2017 because I realized how instrumental local government is in our everyday lives—and how more diverse voices lead to better decisions about how and where our public money is spent. We all deserve decent roads, safe communities and resilient infrastructure.

Now I’m running for State Assembly because our county government is limited in how much it can do with the resources it has. Central New York needs a representative who will make sure our region gets the funding and relief from burdens like unfunded mandates to grow into an even better place to live.

So many of our challenges grow out of a lack of affordable housing. We cannot continue to attract well-paying jobs and skilled workers if we don’t have a place for them to live. And if we can’t continue to grow our tax base, the services we offer will continue to be inadequate to the needs of the most vulnerable members of our region.

In Albany, I will incentivize investment in increasing housing of all types, including workforce and senior housing.

New Yorkers in the 122nd Assembly District need a representative who will show up for more than ribbon cuttings and fundraisers. I will work hard to deliver for Central New York, including universal broadband and functional healthcare systems. I can work from within the majority to get this region what it needs without compromising our unique communities and our upstate values.

Assemblyman Brian Miller

When you head to the polls, I hope you’ll consider re-electing me as your assemblyman. The 122nd District deserves a representative who will push back against Albany’s out-of-touch mandates and stand up for Upstate values. Over the past eight years, I’ve been fighting for our communities against policies that have led to rising crime, hurt our agricultural industries, and neglected the unique needs of rural Upstate New York. I understand firsthand how state-level decisions impact us locally. I’ll continue to push back on harmful regulations that don’t work for our communities.

I’ve worked across party lines to introduce and support legislation that makes a difference for Upstate New York. I’m proud to have secured essential funding for town projects and educational institutions in our district as well as each library throughout the122nd District. With affordability more critical than ever, I’m committed to reducing taxes, cutting wasteful government spending, and eliminating unfunded mandates that burden our towns. Supporting small businesses, the backbone of our economy, is key to creating local jobs.

Public safety is also a priority, and I’ve co-sponsored legislation aimed at keeping our communities safe, focusing on common-sense solutions. My experience as a mechanical engineer, orchard owner, and years in public service have prepared me to tackle our district’s challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset.

As your assemblyman, I’m committed to improving the quality of life for the 122nd District. Thank you for your trust, and I look forward to continuing to serve you with dedication and integrity.

CITY OF ONEONTA COUNCIL MEMBER, WARD 1

Elayne Mosher Campoli

As First Ward council member, I will continue to focus on issues that impact quality of life, access to health and human services, economic development and fiscal responsibility, and community building.

Oneonta is a hometown with a lot of heart. This city is special and has a lot going for it! Overall, the City of Oneonta is in a strong financial position and we have a community that really cares and looks out for each other. Challenges like access to services, housing for year-round residents, and climate justice also present us opportunities to get creative and come up with solutions that can lead to economic development in the city.

I believe in Oneonta and I’m committed to working hard to find compassionate, effective, and responsible solutions to address challenges. I’ve demonstrated this through my record of community service, including leadership on nonprofit boards and as a founding member and former president of Otsego Pride Alliance, which organizes an annual Pridefest in the city. I’ve also dedicated more than 20 years to working in human services.

I bring many skills to the position and I have the capacity and determination to learn what is needed. Communication is essential to create transparency and I will uphold these values in public service. I want to make a difference, and I’m dedicated to my family, friends and wider community. I’m investing time and energy to get involved, listening and learning about the needs and strengths of the city and interests of Ward 1 residents.

Rick Ranc

Did not respond to inquiries.

CITY OF ONEONTA COUNCIL MEMBER, WARD 8

Don Mathisen

I’m running to represent the City of Oneonta’s 8th Ward. My goal is to ensure efficient, financially responsible government. I want to keep property taxes as low as possible while providing essential services. City services include police and fire departments to keep us safe; public works to maintain streets, parks, and municipal buildings; a water system to provide clean, safe water; and a waste water treatment plant so our discharges into the Susquehanna River meet environmentally sound standards. I promise to work hard, listen to constituent concerns, and do my best to find solutions to problems.

Text of Proposal Number One, An Amendment

Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly proposing an amendment to section 11 of article 1 of the constitution, in relation to equal protection.

Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 11 of article 1 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:

§ 11. a. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in [his or her] their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, pursuant to law.

b. Nothing in this section shall invalidate or prevent the adoption of any law, regulation, program, or practice that is designed to prevent or dismantle discrimination on the basis of a characteristic listed in this section, nor shall any characteristic listed in this section be interpreted to interfere with, limit, or deny the civil rights of any person based upon any other characteristic identified in this section.

§ 2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing amendment be submitted to the people for approval at the general election to be held in the year 2024 in accordance with the provisions of the election law.

Explanation–Matter in bold italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted.