Meet the candidates for local office

We asked where they stand on county issues

Sullivan County, NY – Next month, when citizens all across this country go to the polls, they will be voting in an election that is one of the most contentious in recent memory. The mood of the electorate on the national level is unquestionably polarized, with very little middle ground on the issues as viewed by progressives on the left and by MAGA supporters on the right.

But all politics is local, as the saying goes, and our local candidates have all chosen to run for office out of a desire to serve their constituents – us – to the best of their ability. Though they take different positions on some issues, they are, not surprisingly, in agreement on many others.

Manor Ink’s reporters contacted all seven candidates running locally for seats in Congress or in the State’s Senate and Assembly to learn where they stand on issues of importance to Sullivan County residents. Those who responded were very positive about the future of this region, and were also eager to “work across the aisle” toward that future, contrary to the divisive politics seen on the national level. If nothing else, that is a hopeful sign as we head toward Nov. 5.

In NY’s 19th District, a Molinaro vs. Riley rematch

By Zoey McGee | Manor Ink

In the 19th Congressional District, Democrat Josh Riley is hoping to unseat Republican Marcus Molinaro, a position Molinaro won when the two faced each other in 2022’s election. Here is where the candidates stand on the issues.

HEALTH CARE

Riley: Believes the health-care system should not put profit over patients. Expand access to health care in rural communities with Internet access and federal funding. Invest in curbing the opioid epidemic through treatment for people struggling with addiction.
Molinaro: Ensure rural communities receive more physical and mental health treatment. Expand funding for rural health clinics, telehealth and telemedicine.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Riley: Views climate change as an existential crisis for the planet and is deeply concerned about the world we are leaving for future generations. Plans to create more jobs producing things like solar panels to establish energy independence.
Molinaro: Has led efforts to curb polluters, preserve soil and watersheds, protect farmland, and clean and restore the Hudson River. Part of a bipartisan climate caucus developing strategies to improve and expand renewable energy and preserve natural resources. Currently promoting legislation to increase Delaware River Basin protections.

TAXES

Riley: Taxes should be lowered for the middle class. End massive tax cuts for billionaires, special interests and the oil industries. Invest instead in families.
Molinaro: Believes government often doesn’t respect the people paying the bills, that New York taxes are too high. Tax money should be returned to the taxpayers and federal spending should reduce taxes for middle-class families and drive down inflation so the costs of goods and services aren’t as high. Supports expanding the child tax credit.

REPRODUCTIVE CARE, ABORTION RIGHTS

Riley: Pro-choice, believes a woman should be able to make her own choice. Vows that if elected, he will sponsor legislation to restore Roe vs. Wade.
Molinaro: Committed to preventing a national abortion ban. When it comes to reproductive health, the choice should be between a woman and her physician, not Washington, DC.

GUN SAFETY

Riley: Respects the Second Amendment, but believes there are reasonable, safe measures to adopt to ensure communities and children are safe. These include strengthening background checks and making sure felons do not have access to firearms.
Molinaro: New York has the strictest gun laws in the country, but those who commit gun crimes are not prosecuted with the requisite urgency. Prosecuting those crimes will be a deterrent. Investing in trauma and behavioral health intervention will also deter those who display violent behavior.

HOUSING COSTS

Riley: Wall Street equity firms bought up many single-family homes for profit, contributing to the housing crisis. Housing policy should prioritize keeping people in their homes, not making sure Wall Street makes a profit. Ban corporations from buying single-family housing and invest in new housing construction for more affordable options.
Molinaro: Middle-class homes are currently being built to create a larger housing supply to reduce costs. Citizens need meaningful tax relief when buying or renting a house; voted to expand the low-income tax credit to provide government support for home purchases. Wants to revise zoning laws to make constructing new housing possible.

Frazier vies with Oberacker in the 51st

By Zoey McGee and Savannah Chaboty | Manor Ink

Michelle Frazier is the Democratic candidate for the 51st District seat in the NY State Senate, a position currently held by Republican Peter Oberacker. Here are their views on the issues.

HEALTH CARE

Frazier: Increase support for home health-care aids, mental health services and reproductive care. Improve public transportation systems so residents can access medical facilities and care.
Oberacker: Assist EMS squads with training requirements and increased recruitment. Focus on mental health by identifying barriers to services, thus reducing suicide attempts in rural communities.

FRACKING

Frazier: Rural communities are the engine of New York’s clean energy future. Hopes to use cleaner energy alternatives.
Oberacker: Supports a cost analysis of renewable energy compared to other methods of electricity generation as a way to limit greenhouse gases.

TAXES

Frazier: Those in a position of wealth should pay their fair share of taxes.
Oberacker: Focus on infrastructure improvement, update public work fleets cost-effectively. Stay under the tax cap. All federal money should go to local government instead of being dispensed by Albany.

REPRODUCTIVE CARE, ABORTION RIGHTS

Frazier: Strongly supports a woman’s right to choose. After a personal experience regarding reproductive care, she will fight to ensure doctors and families can make these decisions without prosecution:
Oberacker: Believes in the right to life, but with exceptions in cases of the health of the mother and sexual offenses.

GUN SAFETY

Frazier: Does not believe AR-15s are necessary for hunting or protection. Wants to implement more responsible gun ownership while staying within the Constitution.
Oberacker: Believes New York should support hunters and will defend the Second Amendment. Against the SAFE Act, which he believes was poorly implemented.

HOUSING COSTS

Frazier: Affordable housing is a priority. Working to find solutions to short-term rentals, insufficient housing stock and homelessness through affordable housing alternatives. Supports sustainable building methods to save on costs such as heating.
Oberacker: Working to incentivize the construction of new, reasonably-priced housing to prevent people moving out of the state because housing is unaffordable.

AGRICULTURE AND FARMING

Frazier: Because California and Midwestern states are suffering from fires and droughts, she believes New York can be the next bread basket for the country. Supports strong farming communities.
Oberacker: Supports the “No Farms, No Food Act” that will ensure farmers receive what they need after the pandemic to support the country’s food security.

RECDEATIONAL CANNABIS

Frazier: Though cannabis is now legal in New York, the roll-out of the permitting program has been challenging. Need to work toward a smoother implementation of the state policy.
Oberacker: Favors state regulation of the sale of cannabis, but voted against adult recreational cannabis use in 2021.

New Assembly district lines split Sullivan

By Rachel Zuckerman | Manor Ink

Democrat Paula Elaine Kay and Republican Louis Ingrassia are vying for Aileen Gunther’s seat in the NY State Assembly’s 100th District. In the 101st District, containing the towns of Rockland and Neversink, Republican Brian Maher is running unopposed. Here are their views on the issues.

HEALTH CARE

Kay: Supports collaboration among services to give people access to care they need. With Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement lower in Sullivan County, there’s a need to bring health-care providers to the area.
Ingrassia: The lower Medicare reimbursement in Sullivan County, driven by regionalization, needs to be addressed.
Maher: Will work to have more people accept getting health-care insurance which may lower costs.

FRACKING

Kay: Though not a big issue currently, fracking is potentially environmentally harmful and must be looked at very carefully.
Ingrassia: Believes the byproducts of fracking have been reduced; favors using natural resources in a safe and effective manner.
Maher: Fracking shouldn’t be done everywhere, just in some places that will help the environment stay clean.

TAXES

Kay: Hold taxes to a level working families can afford while maintaining services; favors quality education and childcare tax credits.
Ingrassia: Both school and property taxes are paid by homeowners, and that situation needs to be fixed.
Maher: The current system unfairly affects people who own properties and must pay property taxes, school taxes, etc.

REPRODUCTIVE CARE, ABORTION RIGHTS

Kay: Firmly pro-choice.
Ingrassia: Health care is a personal choice; won’t interfere with the laws unless there is an issue.
Maher: Pro-life, but won’t let his beliefs get in the way of what’s best for people.

GUN SAFETY

Kay: Supports the right to bear arms for security and hunting.
Ingrassia: Big proponent of the Second Amendment, believes in gun rights, but also in using common sense. Believes people have the right to protect themselves.
Maher: Supports the Second Amendment for protection when needed and for other purposes like hunting.

HOUSING COSTS

Kay: Work with developers to get the materials, infrastructure and the profits they need to create affordable housing in good locations.
Ingrassia: New construction is hindered by the economy, but there are many existing buildings that can be renovated to provide housing.
Maher: Housing units are currently too expensive, and because they need water and sewer systems, suitable locations can add to costs.

AGRICULTURE AND FARMING

Kay: Support our farmers by fighting to maintain farmland and help them make the sales they need to keep going.
Ingrassia: Support farmers who provide the region with local foods and natural produce; wants to make sure they have everything that they need to continue with what they are already doing.
Maher: Many farms are being closed down because of property taxes and other reasons, leaving farmers unable to farm. Thinks there should be something done about it.

RECREATIONAL CANNABIS

Kay: Supports the sale of recreational cannabis because it promotes safer products and is a way to make more tax dollars.
Ingrassia: Believes cannabis is a gateway drug, and because there are so many laws governing it, there are black markets that sell the drug illegally. Also, because there are so many young people using cannabis, it is damaging our society.
Maher: Doesn’t support it, but because of existing laws, there really isn’t anything that can be done. But will ensure that laws governing it are made stronger to prevent illegal black markets from happening.

What students think of the issues

High school students in Livingston Manor and Roscoe went to the polls to express their most pressing concerns in the upcoming election. Using Google Forms, the students selected their top three from a list of thirteen current issues. Coming out on top was “inflation,” chosen by 57 percent of the students. Not surprisingly, “College Costs” came in second with 39 percent. Next was “Housing Costs,” selected by 38 percent.
Note: The total does not equal 100 percent since each voter chose three items.

Reporter Jameson Barerra contributed to this survey.