In the first public gathering since petitions were filed with the state Board of Elections earlier this month, all seven candidates for the 21st Congressional District gathered to air their views at the Albany Jewish Community Center on Thursday, July 17.
The forum, which was advertised as a chance for candidates to share their platforms with local seniors, spanned a variety of topics, including the war in Iraq, health care, campaign finance reform and property taxes.
About 100 members of the public attended, many of them supporters or campaign volunteers for the candidates who took the stage.
During a period of general comments, the key word of the night seemed to be change, a buzzword made popular this year in Sen. Barack Obama’s bid for the White House.
Democrat Tracey Brooks, an attorney and former aide to Sen. Hillary Clinton, said she was `hungry for change` in Congress.
`I’ll undo the damage done by the Bush administration, making myself accountable,` said Brooks, who stressed her experience working with organizations in all areas of the district. `I have a very different kind of experience that stands for real change.`
Republican Jim Buhrmaster was equally critical of Congress.
`Washington is broken,` said Buhrmaster, the owner of Buhrmaster Energy in Scotia. `It needs something new and different ` it needs to bring a businessperson to Congress.`
Democrat Phil Steck also said he was a grassroots, part-time politician outside of the permanent government structures.
`This is a change election,` said Steck. `I’ll take a grassroots, community-based approach.`
Joseph Sullivan, Democrat, said his experience as a college teacher and researcher would allow him to take a different view of the Congress, than that of a career politician. Sullivan has previously said that he would spend less than $1,000 on his campaign.
`I’m kind of like that guy from Midas Muffler,` said Sullivan. `I’m not going to spend a lot for this office.`
Republican Steven Vasquez, who also tied up the Libertarian endorsement earlier this month, said his campaign would focus on economic reform.
`Every year Congress loots from Social Security,` said Vasquez. `If Congress was a corporation, they would be arrested for stealing from our pension funds.`
Democrat Darius Shahinfar, also an attorney, labeled himself as a candidate for working people. He also used the word `change` in his opening remarks and was critical of Congress.
`America at home is not working for working Americans,` said Shahinfar.
Democrat Paul Tonko, a former longtime state Assemblyman and an engineer, stressed his experience in both capacities.
`My experience is the sum total of my ability to provide on behalf of this district,` said Tonko, who frequently referenced his legislative accomplishments in the Assembly.
On the issues, nearly all the Democratic candidates and Republican Steven Vasquez supported a timely withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
Republican Jim Buhrmaster said he was in support of a `secure` withdrawal that would not be immediate.
Only Democrat Joseph Sullivan, a Navy veteran, said he would not support withdrawal.
`The troops aren’t coming home,` said Sullivan, who cited the recent oil crises and homeland security as major concerns. `Get over it.`
All candidates also expressed the desire to reform the health care industry, to continue efforts at campaign finance reform and to promote accountability in government.
Candidates also sounded off on the currently dismal economic climate and rising property taxes.
Steck, of Colonie, said his plan for single-payer health insurance would eliminate Albany County’s giant share of property taxes that funds the county portion of the Medicaid program.
Tonko said he too supported single-payer plans. He also supports education reform that reduces the number of federally unfunded mandates.
If elected, Shahinfar said he would fight for the working class. He said the country is in need of `bottom up economics, not trickle down economics.`
Buhrmaster said his energy plan would aid the sliding stock market.
`The economy is being held hostage by investors,` said Buhrmaster. `They’re not in the stock market anymore, they’re in the commodities market.`
Vasquez said he would fight to put an end to rising inflation.
Sullivan said he would promote alternative energy usage and end tax increases.
Brooks said major economic change would come from troop withdrawal.
`We need to end the war in Iraq,` said Brooks. `We need to bring the $5,000 per second we’re spending in Iraq and invest it here at home.`
The seven candidates from the 21st District are vying for a seat that will be vacated by longtime Congressman Michael McNulty, D-Green Island, who will retire at the end of the year. The district is overwhelmingly Democratic and a Democrat has held the seat for several decades.
Candidates will square off in their respective party primaries on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
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