JAMESTOWN – One of the democrats who would like to square off against Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) in next November’s election for the newly drawn 23rd Congressional District is in Jamestown this week to campaign and also get a better understanding of the city and Chautauqua County.
Tompkins County Legislator Nate Shinagawa (D-Ithaca) spoke to local media Monday afternoon at City Hall after receiving an endorsement from Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi. In addition to Teresi’s endorsement, Shinagawa has also been endorsed by several Democratic officials and groups, including the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee, Hornell mayor Shawn Hogan and Elmira mayor Sue Skidmore.
As part of his campaign, the Ithaca Democrat said he wants to focus on three key issues:
“The number one thing I think we need to work on right now is Jobs. We absolutely need to have jobs in this community that are accessible to everybody, not just those with college degrees, but those with high school degrees. And we need to do that through manufacturing, through investment in renewable energies, and investment in the rail industry. I think that is absolutely key to our future. The second thing we need to do is we need to make sure we bring federal dollars back into these communities, because the only way we are going to be able to restore and rebuild cities like Elmira or cities like Jamestown is that if we have funds and if we have a congressman in office that’s willing to fight to bring funds back into these communities to help rebuild downtowns throughout the entire district. The third thing we need to do which is key to our community is to make sure we are protecting the social safety net for people, and I mean specifically medicare and social security.”
Shinagawa also said that the new 23rd Congressional District needs a representative who will have an independent voice in Washington, and simply not blindly follow the wishes of party officials. He said that is what Tom Reed is currently known for doing.
“Tom Reed has shown in the two years that he’s been in Congress that he is nothing but a follower of the Republican Leadership,” said Shinagawa. “He doesn’t speak for himself, he repeats their talking points. He’s the spokesperson for them. I think what’s been consistent throughout the southern tier’s history is that we have loved Independent leaders that speak for the constituents, not the political party, and that’s what I will offer.”
Before taking on Reed in a head-to-head race, Shinagawa first must get past the Democratic Primary. He is running against fellow Democrats Leslie Danks Burke and Melissa Dobson, both attorneys, in the June 26 congressional primary.
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