Eddie Sundquist
JAMESTOWN – Even though it’s still nearly a year-and-a-half away, a Jamestown residents is officially throwing his hat into the ring to challenge Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) in the 2018 election.
Area attorney Eddie Sundquist this morning officially announced his campaign for New York’s 23rd Congressional District in a media release sent to WRFA.
Born and raised in Jamestown, Sundquist is a graduate of Jamestown High School and is the first in his family to graduate college, having earned a political science degree at St. John Fisher College. He then earned his Masters of Science in Education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, and received his law degree from the University of Buffalo School of Law. His law practice currently focuses on helping injured workers and grieving families.
Sundquist is currently a founding board member and community trainer for the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition and he also serves as a regional competition judge in the Finger Lakes FIRST Robotics competition.
In his announcement, Sundquist accuses Reed of defending the elite and special interests in D.C., saying that if elected, he would instead fight for all of the hard working people of the Southern Tier – adding that the district needs a true representative who will fight for access to affordable healthcare, high quality child care and education, and economic opportunity for all.
Sundquist is one of several Democrats contending for the party’s nomination in 2018. Others who’ve announced an intention to run against Reed include Corning area teacher and union leader Rick Gallant, Ithaca businessman Ian Golden, Enfield resident James Clasby and Ulysses Town Board member JG Hertzler, who’s also an actor known for his role as General Martok in the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 television series.
The NY 23 Congressional District, containing: Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, Yates Tompkins and Seneca counties – along with a portion of Ontario county.
Since reapportionment redrew congressional lines and put Chautauqua County into the 23rd congressional district, Tom Reed has won reelection three separate times against three different opponents. They included Ithaca-area Democrats Nate Shinagowa in 2012 and Martha Robertson in 2014, and most recently Randolph native John Plumb in last year’s election.
With the election still nearly a year-and-a-half away, more potential candidates cold also be coming forward in the coming weeks and months. If necessary, a Democratic primary will take place in June 2018.
The 23rd Congressional District is comprised of 11 counties – several of which are located in the southern tier along the New York-Pennsylvania border.
Starting this week, Sundquist will embark on a listening tour, visiting all 11 counties in the district to hear about real issues from the people of the region. For more information on Sundquist and his campaign, visit www.eddiesundquist.com.
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