U.S. House speaker Mike Johnson is stumping for Republican Brandon Williams in Syracuse Friday as he visits districts key to changing the balance of power in the House. The freshman congressman is in a tight race against Democrat John Mannion. Also Friday, Johnson is scheduled to attend an event with first-term Republican Marc Molinaro, who represents Tompkins, Tioga, Cortland, Broome, and several counties to the east. Molinaro is locked in a close rematch against Democratic challenger Josh Riley.
HOCHUL CAMPAIGNS FOR DEMOCRATS
Governor Kathy Hochul insists she’s raising money and campaigning hard for Democratic congressional candidates in the run-up to election day, even if the efforts aren’t getting the attention of the media. Speaking in Greene County just south of Albany Tuesday, she bristled at a question about the perceived lack of appearances. She told reporters she’s been traveling the state and talking on the phone with candidates, including John Mannion.
"I'll be at rallies all weekend," Hochul said. "Other than catching a couple of glimpses of a Bills game, I have non-stop focused on helping elect these individuals. Talk to any of them about whether they feel they're getting the help they need. Please write verbatim what they say because it is enormously positive.”
John Mannion's campaign confirms with WAER News that Hochul has been supportive.
Hochul calls the slate of candidates “exceptional.” She predicts the state will flip some seats, which will pay dividends for New York if they gain the majority in the House.
“They are really on the front lines of letting our constituents know throughout the state. But Syracuse, Hudson Valley, our battleground districts, they will make the difference between money coming back to the state of New York, resources that are going to the state, our counties, our local businesses.”
She says she’s also funding ad campaigns to counter what she calls “a campaign of lies” misrepresenting proposition one on the back of the ballot, called the “equal rights amendment” by supporters.
