Debates help voters understand what a campaign represents and each candidate’s stance on various issues. — Tracy Mitrano
Tom Reed “introduced the Help Act to allow federal prosecutors access to more severe penalties when prosecuting certain drug cases, and has also supported increased funding to fight the epidemic. The 2018 Omnibus alone included $4.7 billion for prevention, treatment and law enforcement activities, and the House and Senate recently passed a package of more than 50 bills aimed at fighting the opioid epidemic.”
- Tracy Mitrano believes Rep. Tom Reed’s unwillingness to meet with her for debates is a disservice to the 23rd congressional district.
- The candidate also said she disagrees with Reed’s May 15 vote against the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which provides relief to the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals and businesses in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Mitrano stated her position on the opioid crisis, saying she supports “clear language” surrounding opioids, via tracking prescriptions, treating addiction and using technology at U.S. borders to prohibit drugs from coming into the country.
Is law enforcement key to addressing opioid abuse; are debates a vital service to the 23rd congressional district? What do readers think?
Reed’s campaign spokesperson Matt Coker released the following statement in response to Mitrano’s request for debates.
“To suggest that the congressional race warrants more debates than even the race for President shows that Tracy is a grand-stander looking only for public attention to pacify her own ego. However, Tom is focused on results. He is protecting the interests of New Yorkers during these unprecedented times while remaining accessible to voters as evident by having held over 270 town halls. In time, voters will see they can’t trust radical liberal Tracy Mitrano.”
I don’t know that Tom has defended his vote against the HEROS Act.
Here is Tom Reed’s statement on opioids; see if you can tell what he proposes:
https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1593
New NY 23rd 
Reed also frequently states that he represents “western NY.” I guess that explains why he ignores the part of his district that clearly isn’t in western NY, and why he won’t debate there.
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We’ve had a “war on drugs” for 40 years now. The drugs always win. A massive waste of money. Put the money into programs for needles, recovery, etc. We don’t need to put folks in jail for drug use, unless you want to add alcohol (the worst drug) to the list.
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War must be popular in much of NY-23. Tom Reed’s statement mentions:
federal prosecutors
severe penalties
law enforcement activities
fight and fighting
He also mentions prevention and treatment, but it isn’t clear from this statement what he has in mind.
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Both Sabato’s Crystal Ball and The Cook Political Report have NY 23 as Solidly Republican.
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“Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, “It can’t be done'” — Elanor Roosevelt, 1960
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“The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.”
― Damon Runyon, Runyon on Broadway
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This area is strongly GOP. Face it. Rubes are easy to con.
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Educational failure is self perpetuating because teachers, parents, and school board members share ideas that reflect the education that they received. I went to school in a heavily Republican area, but don’t remember a teacher ever pushing a political view. It is strange that so many in NY-23 seem to have graduated without appreciation for science or civics.
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