PENN YAN—Democratic Congressional Nominee Tracy Mitrano (NY-23) today announced that she has accepted a number of invitations from groups offering to host debates and candidate forums this fall. Mitrano, who won the Democratic primary earlier this summer, is running to unseat incumbent Representative Tom Reed. She said that she is looking forward to having a public conversation with her opponent about their policy positions and commitments.
“I am so pleased to accept all of the invitations to debate that have been received by the campaign so far,” Mitrano said. “I entered this race because I have a vision for this community—one that I am eager to share with our voters. It’s been an honor to discuss the issues with engaged and concerned citizens across the district, and I look forward to debating Tom Reed about the issues that matter to constituents here in Western New York and the Southern Tier.
“I know that they, too, look forward to hearing Representative Reed answer for his record. They want to know why he voted repeatedly to take away their healthcare and protections for people with pre-existing conditions; why he supported Paul Ryan’s tax plan giving trillions of dollars away to millionaires and large corporations; and why he has failed to act to preserve our natural resources, invest in our infrastructure, make our education more affordable, or address the opioid epidemic.”
The Mitrano campaign has officially accepted invitations from the Jamestown Post-Journal, WETM 18 News, the Olean-Times Herald, and the League of Women Voters of Geneva. Mitrano has also agreed to debate invitations for dates that have yet to be determined from the League of Women Voters of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties; the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County; and the People for a Healthy Environment, a grassroots organization based in Horseheads, New York.
The Reed campaign has not responded to requests from the League of Women Voters of Geneva, the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County, the League of Women Voters of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties, or to the People for a Healthy Environment.
“It’s been wonderful to have so much interest in debates from so many different communities within New York’s 23rd District,” Mitrano said. “I’m delighted that we have two debates officially scheduled, and I urge my opponent to not delay in accepting any of the additional invitations. Mr. Reed and I come from very different policy perspectives, and we owe it to the people to be direct about those differences. I’ve put years of study and thought into my policy stances, and I’m all too ready to share my views with each voter. I can commit to debating Tom Reed early and often.”