cindyotis

Congressman Reed,

While you spent last week publicly touting a message of unity and bipartisanship, you also sent two mailers to your supposed supporters calling your Congressional challengers “extreme liberals.” It’s a well-worn tactic you’ve used in every single election year since you took office and we see right through it. You use it as an excuse to ignore a large portion of your constituents and to distract your supporters from the fact that you vote for the interests of your wealthy out-of-state donors, rather than your constituents.

You can keep inserting the word “bipartisan” into each of your statements, but it will not change the fact that you regularly attack your own constituents. You can keep holding town hall meetings to pretend you’re listening to your constituents, but it won’t hide that you have neglected this district to become a Washington insider. You can post photos of your meetings with representatives on both sides of the aisle, but it will not change the fact that time and again you have chosen the partisan path in favor of the wealthy, rather than a bipartisan deal that would have actually helped your district.

Mr. Reed, your “us versus them” tactic is not real representation or leadership, and it will not work this year. Along the campaign trail, I have spoken with constituents across the political spectrum and the one thing they all agree on is that their lives have not improved under your leadership. You cannot hide from your record and you’ll see the consequences of that in November.

In response to the publication of the memo written by the staff of Republican Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) Devin Dunes, Tracy Mitrano released the following statement.

“This memo makes dangerous claims of FBI subversion with information that simply does not support it. The decision by House Republicans and the Trump administration to release highly classified information to the public is a practice completely outside of established House Intelligence Committee procedure. It is an attempt to damage the credibility of the FBI and the Department of Justice showing just how far the GOP is willing to go to push their agenda. It is no surprise that Congressman Tom Reed called for releasing the Nunes memo. He said that doing so would provide “transparency.” I am all for government transparency, but this is not it.

After only a few hours of it being released, I believe this memo is already being seen for exactly what it is—a political ploy Republicans are using to discredit an active FBI investigation. I said it earlier this week and I will say it again: The FBI’s investigation led by its Republican former Director Robert Mueller into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia must continue unimpeded by partisan politics. It is the only way to ensure the truth comes out.”

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe announced today [29 January] that he would step down reportedly because of pressure from the White House. Last week it was revealed that President Trump ordered the firing of Robert Mueller last spring.

Tracy Mitrano released the following statement in response:

In the last few weeks, we have seen an unacceptable level of criticism levied against the FBI and their ongoing investigation led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. This investigation must continue without political interference—it is the only way to ensure the truth comes out. We must not let political partisanship get in the way of protecting our democracy and the rule of law.

The people of NY-23 deserve a representative that defends our country against all threats foreign and domestic. Today, I issue my support for Mueller’s investigation and I call on Congressman Tom Reed to do the same.

On January 23rd, Democratic candidate Tracy Mitrano won a straw poll conducted in Geneva at the Smith Opera House after the seven candidates running in NY-23 participated in a candidate forum. Participants were asked to identify their top three candidates and Mitrano won the most votes by a 100-point margin.

Earlier in the week, the Chautauqua Democratic County Committee held a meeting to decide which of the seven Democratic candidates running for Congress in NY-23 they would endorse. The voting was close and it took four separate rounds of voting before there was a majority. Tracy Mitrano of Yates County received the second highest votes in three rounds and the highest number of votes in one round.

In an op-ed written to The Ithaca Times, Tracy called out Congressman Tom Reed for attempting to divide the district and encouraged constituents to work together using our shared values. Tracy said:

Though these perceptions are often superficial, many in politics seek to exaggerate them for personal and professional gain. Neglecting the real issues we all face by our incumbent representative in Congress – Tom Reed – has made the superficial seem more important than it is. Real leadership and real political representation would focus more on our shared foundation of values, rather than trying to drive a wedge between us.

My story is not all that different from many who reside in New York’s 23^rd District. Tom Reed would have you think otherwise. He would have you think that because some members of our community—our family—think of a different way to achieve our shared values, or choose to live in a different town, that they are to be loathed. It is in Tom Reed’s best interest to promote a divide within the 23^rd district. He uses it so that he can vote how he pleases in his pursuit of special interest money. But it is not good for us. Falling into his trap will continue to hold us back.

Read the full article here.