Marcus “Marc” Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive and Republican congressional candidate, focused on economic issues and opposition to bail reform as he spoke to more than 50 people Sunday at the annual Cortland County Republican Committee barbecue in Marathon.
Molinaro faces Ulster County Executive Democrat Pat Ryan in a special election to replace Antonio Delgado in the 19th District when Delgado became the lieutenant governor.
The election is Aug. 23 and the winner will only serve five months to finish out Delgado’s term. He also seeks the two-year appointment. He’s unopposed for the Republican nomination, the state Board of Elections reports, but would face the winner of a Democratic primary between Josh Riley of Tompkins County and Jamie Cheney of Dutchess County.
“Today, we are living with the highest rate of inflation in two years,” Molinaro said inside the Marathon Civic Center. “And they want to tell you that the economy is just fine. We’re feeling it just great. Everything’s wonderful. Just ask Joe Biden and he will tell you.”
Molinaro said Democrats, including former governor Andrew Cuomo, were not interested in visiting places like Marathon.
“We’re tired of people who hold elected office that ignore our interests, who ignore our concerns,” he said.
Molinaro sidestepped a question on abortion rights
“Elections aren’t about the candidates, they’re about the voters,” he said. “And so whatever drives the voter is what the election is determined on. What I do know, however, is that voters across the 19th Congressional District, they understand the financial challenge that is on.”
He also said gun violence and mental health are separate issues.
“We have to confront the stigma and then we have to bring resources into communities,” Molinaro said. “And then we need insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid to reimburse mental health and mental illness at a rate that attracts people to provide services and into that field.”
Originally, Gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin of Shirley was supposed to appear, but canceled.
A campaign bus with Zeldin’s name on it was parked outside the civic center and people took pictures of themselves with the bus.
Former Binghamton Mayor Rich David, running for the state Senate’s 52nd District, was also at the event and echoed much of what Molinaro said, with an emphasis on opposing bail reform and funding law enforcement.
Marathon Mayor Scott Chamberlin said he wanted to work with someone who would pay attention to the village’s issues.
“We’ve had pretty good representation from Congresswoman (Claudia) Tenney,” Chamberlin said. “And my hopes would be that he (Molinaro) would continue in that tradition of paying attention to the village, having access to him so he doesn’t forget us.”
