Stefanik, Cobb in rematch for 21st Congressional seat
CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. » New York’s 21st Congressional District includes Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Hamilton, Essex, Warren, Washington and Fulton counties and parts of Saratoga and Herkimer counties.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican, has represented the district since 2014. Challenging her for the seat is Tedra Cobb, a Democrat and former St. Lawrence County legislator. The race is a rematch from 2018, which saw Stefanik win 56.1% to 42.4%.
Each candidate outlined their respective positions on healthcare.
According to Stefanik’s campaign, the Congresswoman is for, “protecting those with preexisting conditions; allowing families and businesses to shop for insurance across state lines; pursuing real tort reform; fighting the waste, fraud, and abuse that costs our healthcare system billions each year; and allowing individuals and families to purchase insurance on the same taxadvantaged basis as businesses.”
Conversely, Cobb told the League of Women Voters she supports a public option.
“I believe the best path forward is through a Medicare public option. The choice to buy into Medicare or the choice to keep employer-sponsored health benefits. Additionally, prescription drug prices are on the rise in the country. We need to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs. Thiswould lower costs for millions of Americans,” Cobb stated.
The candidates also mapped out their visions for the economy.
Stefanik’s campaign noted she seeks to, “eliminate burdensome regulations and give our business community certainty so they can create jobs.” Additionally, Stefanik is working to “reform the tax code, both in Washington and Albany, to create a flatter, fairer systemthat promotes job creation and economic growth.”
Stefanik also was a staunch supporter of the USMCA trade agreement, in an effort to expand markets for American-made goods.
According to her campaign, Stefanik, “is a strong advocate for Career and Technical Training and was proud to support passage of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the
21st Century Act which will provide needed updates to the nation’s primary CTE program.”
Conversely, according to Cobb’s campaign, she’s looking to, “Encourage small business development. Support existing industries like, agriculture, healthcare, education, and tourism. Improve infrastructure.”
According toCobb’s campaign, she plans to, “Eliminate regulations that harm local businesses. Secure funding for research and training in vital industries. Work with colleges and universities to create internships and training programs matched to existing local jobs. Support farmers through commercial kitchens, food hubs, aggregation, and Farm-to-table and farm-to-school programs.
“Further regional investment in renewable energy.”
Along with the Capital Region portion of the North Country, the district also covers Fort Drum, which is the biggest economic driver of Jefferson
County with nearly 20,000 active- duty troops. The district is also made up of nearly 70,000 veterans. Both candidates also laid out their respective positions on military and veteran issues.
According to Stefanik’s campaign, the Congresswoman fought hard to have Fort Drumdesignated as an East Coast Missile Defense Site. Her campaign adds this development would, “would create nearly 1,500 jobs in our community and boost our local economy by over $220 million per year.”
In addition to helping recover $2.5 million in VA benefits, Stefanik reiterated her commitment to protecting veterans.
“We must keep the promises and commitments we’ve made to our military veterans by ensuring needed services and care are always available and delivered in a timely fashion. This includes adequate and safe equipment, healthcare for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries and other service- related ailments, job opportunities and training and post-service career resources, as well as the disability and retirement benefits they’ve earned through their courageous service. Elise is a leading voice in Washington advocating for veterans andmilitary families in the North Country,” Stefanik’s campaign stated.
Conversely, Cobb’s campaign notes that she intends to help veterans by, “Protect and expand tax incentives for employers who hire veterans. Fully fund the VA and oppose attempts to privatize it Increase access and funding for job training for veterans. Expand educational opportunities.” “Tedra will be that representative, always voting to improve access to medical care and eliminating obstacles for veterans to re- enter the workforce. Those who serve in the United States military make a tremendous sacrifice for our country. We should not only give them the tools they need to succeed during their service,” Cobb’s campaign stated.
New York voters are able to vote via absentee ballot bymail, early voting at designated poll sites or on Election Day, which is Nov. 3.