<\/a>Plumb also acknowledged that the affordable care act has not worked the way it was intended, but also said that instead of repealing the law, Tom Reed and the rest of his colleagues in congress should have focused on improving it.<\/p>\n“My opponent has voted 63 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, with no plan to replace it or fix it,” Plumb said. “That is making it worse every single time. It’s wasting our time. It’s wasting our taxpayer dollars and you know, we’re paying him to go to congress to do thsese things. The fact is, if we had improved this thing 63 times, maybe we would be somewhere right now.”<\/p>\n
Both Plumb and Reed also addressed the issue of the second amendment and how to deal with violent gun incidents. Plumb said that he is a supporter of the second amendment and feels that requiring universal background checks for all gun purchases doesn\u2019t infringe on the constitutional law, nor does banning gun ownership from those who are suspected of terrorism.<\/p>\n
Reed said that he also favors limiting access of weapons to convicted felons, but said that government should focus on the mental health associated with individuals who are capable of committing violent crimes rather than resort to universal background checks. He also took Plumb to task for failing to receive a positive grade from the NRA\u2026.<\/p>\n
“NRA endorsed us and gave us an ‘A’ rating. My opponent didn’t even bother to fill out the questionnaire and has a question mark from the NRA. What that means to the NRA is you are openly hostile to the second amendment going forward,” Reed said.<\/p>\n
In response, Plumb said that as a military trained sharp shooter for both pistol and rifle, and as a lifelong hunter, he believes his experience and history when it comes to firearms speaks for itself.<\/p>\n
“I do not need to fill out a silly questionnaire to get my credentials on my ability to use and safely handle a weapon. I’ve been doing it most of my life,” Plumb responded. “The fact is, I am a strong defender of the second amendment. I’m a hunter. I’m a firearms owner. And I defend the second amendment and all of the amendments – I’ve sworn an oath to that – and I’ve been doing it for 22 years in the United States Navy.”<\/p>\n
The two candidates also commented on their choice for president. Plumb has supported Hillary Clinton<\/strong> since the beginning of her bid for president, while Reed has endorsed Donald Trump<\/strong> since the spring. Reed said that while he doesn\u2019t always agree with Trump, he strongly feels that choosing Clinton will take the country in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n“When he has said things that we disagree with, we have called him out on that and said we disagree and that’s just plain wrong,” Reed said. “But when we are talking about the Supreme Court of the United States, I can assure you Donald Trump will put Supreme Court\u00a0 Justices on the Court that will do what the court should do – interpret and enforce the Constitution, not what Hillary Clinton and my opponent wants to do with his support of her: carry out a progressive agenda.”<\/p>\n
In response, Plumb said that he disagrees with how Clinton has handled her email scandal and there are no excuses for it. But, he said she is still a far better choice than Trump.<\/p>\n
“I’m not going to defend Hillary Clinton on the email server and the use of the server. That’s is just a terrible mistake and she should never have done that. With that said, I can not possible align myself with someone who disrespects disabled people, who mocks prisoners of war and who mocks fallen soldiers, and then boasts about sexual assault. This is not someone who should be leading the country,” Plumb said.<\/p>\n
The two candidates addressed various issues for an hour. Both were pleased with their performances and felt the forum gave them an opportunity to highlight their platform while also illustrating why they should be elected to represent the district.<\/p>\n
Plumb is challenging Reed (R-Corning) for his seat in Congress. Over the past two decades he\u2019s served as a submarine officer in the Navy and later as an official at the Department of Defense. Most recently he\u2019s served as director of defense policy and strategy at the National Security Council. He graduated from Randolph High School in 1988.<\/p>\n
Reed is an attorney and former mayor of Corning who was elected to Congress in 2010 and has represented Chautauqua County since January 2013, when redistricting created the new boundaries for the state\u2019s 23rd congressional district.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MAYVILLE – The two candidates for New York\u2019s 23rd Congressional District were at Chautauqua Lake Central School Tuesday night, Nov. 1 to participate in the second of two scheduled debates. The forum, hosted by the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women, featured both Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning) and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":19996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Reed and Plumb Square off for Second Debate in Mayville","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[4],"tags":[5439,6371,34,69,105,429,3344,6202,5440,6007,2263],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Meet-the-Candidates-Congress.jpg?fit=960%2C706&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3YlJ4-5es","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":19980,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/debate-featuring-tom-reed-and-john-plumb-scheduled-for-tuesday-night-in-mayville\/","url_meta":{"origin":20116,"position":0},"title":"Debate Featuring Tom Reed and John Plumb Scheduled for Tuesday Night in Mayville","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"November 1, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"MAYVILLE - The region\u2019s two candidates for congress will be squaring off in a debate Tuesday night, Nov. 1 in Mayville. The Chautauqua League of Women Voters and The American Association of University\u00a0Women of Jamestown are co-hosting a debate between Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) and challenger U.S. Navy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19995,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/listen-community-matters-lowv-meet-the-candidates-forum-candidates-for-congress\/","url_meta":{"origin":20116,"position":1},"title":"[LISTEN] Community Matters – LOWV Meet the Candidates Forum: Candidates for Congress","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"November 2, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN HERE The Nov. 1, 2016 Meet the Candidates forum at Chautauqua Lake Central School, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County and the American Association of University Woman. The debate focused on candidates for New York's 23rd Congressional District - Rep. Tom Reed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Meet-the-Candidates-Congress.jpg?fit=960%2C706&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Meet-the-Candidates-Congress.jpg?fit=960%2C706&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Meet-the-Candidates-Congress.jpg?fit=960%2C706&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Meet-the-Candidates-Congress.jpg?fit=960%2C706&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19608,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/reed-plumb-debate-scheduled-for-nov-1-in-mayville\/","url_meta":{"origin":20116,"position":2},"title":"Reed-Plumb Debate Scheduled for Nov. 1 in Mayville","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"September 29, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"JAMESTOWN - Residents in Chautauqua County will be able to attend a debate between the two candidates for the state\u2019s 23rd congressional district. Democratic Candidate John Plumb\u2019s campaign is announcing that the Navy Commander and Randolph NY native will take part in at least three debates with incumbent Republican Tom\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19951,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/john-plumb-receives-endorsement-from-regions-largest-news-publication-reed-gets-nra-support\/","url_meta":{"origin":20116,"position":3},"title":"John Plumb Receives Endorsement from Region’s Largest News Publication, Reed Gets NRA Support","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"October 28, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"BUFFALO - Candidate for Congress John Plumb (D-Lakewood) has picked up an endorsement from the largest news publication in the region. The Buffalo News gave its endorsement to Plumb in Thursday\u2019s edition. As part of the endorsement, the News said that voters in the 23rd Congressional District, which includes Chautauqua\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19857,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/reed-endorsed-by-carpenters-group-plumb-endorsed-by-senior-advocacy-group\/","url_meta":{"origin":20116,"position":4},"title":"Reed Endorsed by Carpenters Group, Plumb Endorsed by Senior Advocacy Group","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"October 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"As the two congressional candidates continue to campaign during this election season, they\u2019re also continuing to announce endorsements from groups and individuals. On Wednesday, Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) was endorsed by the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters \u2013 which includes 40,000 members across the northeastern United States. Meanwhile,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?fit=721%2C440&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19628,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/nra-gives-reed-a-rating-plumb-receives-rating\/","url_meta":{"origin":20116,"position":5},"title":"NRA Gives Reed “A” Rating, Plumb Receives “?” Rating","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"September 30, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"WASHINGTON - The National Rifle Association has given Chautauqua County\u2019s representative in Congress a positive score for his support of the Second Amendment. The NRA released its scores for all candidates running for election in 2016, including candidates running for the 23rd Congressional District. Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) recently received\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Tom Reed - John Plumb","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Tom-Reed-John-Plumb.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20116"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20116"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20117,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20116\/revisions\/20117"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}