Here's where the two NY21 Democratic candidates stand on top issues - NCPR
Aug 19, 2022 — Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 23 to cast ballots in the NYS Senate and U.S. Congressional races. In the North Country, two Democrats are facing off to challenge Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik this November.
Matt Castelli is a former CIA officer and Matt Putorti is an attorney who grew up in Whitehall. We asked them where they stand on certain key issues including gun control and climate change and what their campaign strategies will be if they become the Democratic nominee.
What do you see as the main difference between you and your primary opponent?
MATT PUTORTI: I didn’t move to this district to run for office. I am a fifth-generation Whitehaller, and the only candidate in this race who was born and raised in this district, who went to public school in the district, and who voted in the district prior to running. This race is personal to me, and my intentions to serve my community are genuine. My deep roots here give a unique advantage for taking on Stefanik.
I have publicly and consistently stated that I will support the Democratic nominee. My opponent has never made that commitment. In fact, he created a “Moderate” ballot line and has indicated his intention to run on that line if he fails to earn the Democratic nomination, thereby becoming a spoiler and helping Stefanik’s chance of victory.
MATT CASTELLI: I am the only candidate in this race who can defeat Elise Stefanik in November. I am the only candidate who has spent their entire career serving their country and community — something that stands in stark contrast to Stefanik’s service to self.
I am the only candidate in this primary who has the support of the Democratic Party, who has been endorsed by labor (including NYSUT and UAW Region 9), sitting and former members of Congress, and national organizations such as VoteVets and Taking the Hill. And, unlike for my primary opponent, there will be no learning curve for me once in office, as I have already served at the highest levels of government.
How do you think you could appeal to the more moderate and conservative voters that make up a majority of the electorate in NY-21?
PUTORTI: NY-21 is, actually, a competitive district and Elise Stefanik is more vulnerable this year than she has ever been because she is so extreme and doesn’t care about the needs of this district. This district hasn’t suffered from a lack of moderation; it has suffered from a lack of representation. We are desperate for a representative who cares more about our common good than herself, and the electorate in NY-21 will vote for the person who they know will advocate best for them.
That is why building a coalition of Republican, Democratic, and unaffiliated voters is possible when we focus on the solutions that will address the issues that are important in Northern New York: combating inflation and rising costs, lowering the cost of health care and prescription drugs, building affordable and quality housing, conserving our environment, protecting our individual rights, and making our communities safe through commonsense gun safety laws.
CASTELLI: My campaign is the only one in this primary working to build the necessary coalition of voters across the political spectrum including progressives, moderates, independents, and conservatives. We have demonstrated our ability to do this by creating an independent line, called the Moderate Party, which thanks to fusion voting gives voters who may be hesitant to vote for someone with a (D) next to their name an opportunity to vote for Castelli in November. We are also the only candidate in this primary doing the hard work of meeting with voters of all political leanings, to listen to and amplify the concerns of everyone in the District.
Much more: https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/46435/20220819/here-s-where-the-two-ny21-democratic-candidates-stand-on-top-issues
Matt Castelli, left, is a former CIA officer and Matt Putorti, right, is an attorney who grew up in Whitehall.