Faso calls for ‘several debates’
Congressman issues challenge to Democrat, Green Party candidate and 3 independents
Hoping to keep his seat and help Republicans keep control of the House, U.S. Rep. John Faso on Friday challenged his opponents in the 19th Congressional District race to “several debates” ahead of the Nov. 6 election.
Faso, R-Kinderhook, issued the challenge in a press release and a letter to five of his opponents: Democrat Antonio Delgado of Rhinebeck, Green Party candidate Steve Greenfield of New Paltz, and independents Dal LaMagna of Clinton, Diane Neal of Hurley, and Luisa Parker of Callicoon.
“I believe it’s critical that the voters of the 19th District know exactly where all of the candidates who have qualified for the ballot stand on issues facing our district and our country,” Faso wrote. “As such, I have written to them all and challenged them to debate.”
Also running, but not mentioned by Faso, is Working Families Party candidate Bob Cohen of East Greenbush.
Delgado said he welcomed the opportunity to participate in debates.
“I look forward to debating is-
sues like health care, ways to bring jobs back to our region, protecting our environment and creating opportunities for education and skills training,” he said in an emailed statement.
Greenfield also accepted the debate invitation and said he is eager for all the candidates to participate in as many public forums as can be arranged throughout the district.
Greenfield noted the 19th Congressional District has a plurality of registered voters who are neither Democrats nor Republicans, and he said exposing them to all the candidates is the best way to overcome low voter turnout and help democracy flourish.
Faso is seeking his seeking his second two-year term representing New York’s 19th Congressional District, which is seen by political observers as a swing district that could be key to Democrats taking control of the House or Republicans keeping control.
The district comprises all of Ulster, Greene, Columbia, Sullivan, Delaware, Schoharie and Otsego counties; most of Dutchess County; parts of Rensselaer and Montgomery counties; and a small section of Broome County.
In the letter to his fellow candidates, Faso said he was challenging his opponents to several debates in the interest of informing voters of the choices they face.
“As you experienced, New York has a rigorous and extensive process to gain ballot access, and, as such, I am committed to participating in debates in which all the candidates who are appearing on the November 6th Congressional ballot will have the opportunity to clearly communicate their respective visions for the 19th District and for the nation,” Faso wrote.
Delgado bested six opponents in a Democratic primary in June to secure the party’s line on the November ballot. The independent candidates had to collect at least 3,500 valid signatures each to secure places on the ballot. Their petitions have been filed but not yet certified.