Voter Guide 2016 Representative in Congress
New York State Assembly 58th District
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arbara Lifton’s more than dozen years in New York politics has created something of a name brand for Tompkins County’s progressive politics. In fact, it’s been her ability to win Tompkins County so consistently that has powered the progressively-minded incumbent to Albany in the past several elections she’d run opposed in. In 2014, she won 68 percent of t he vote i n Tompkins C ou nt y. I n 2010, she won 63 percent of t he count y, defeating Republican Thomas Reynolds. W here she h a sn’t won as resoundingly, howBarbara Lifton ever, is in the one quadrant of right-leaning Cortland County, which makes up the rest of the 125th Assembly District. I n 2 010 , Lifton eked by Reynolds by just 45 votes to win that pocket of the district. And in 2014, she defeated present challenger, Republican Herb Masser, who gained 45 percent of the vote, by 245 votes. Despite Herb Masser t he lo s s i n 2014, Masser thinks this is the year he could win over not just that pocket of the district, but all of Tompkins County as well. His reasoning? A latent frustration with overregulation,
John Plu mb
Tom Reed
Democratic challenger John Plumb is a commander in the US Naval Reserve and a former advisor to former Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and resides in Jamestown.
The Republican incumbent, Tom Reed serves on Congress’ Ways and Means Committee. He was one of presidential candidate Donald J. Trump’s earliest endorsers, announcing his support in May 2016. He resides in Corning.
on job creation A nd Tr ade Vowed to fight against “bad trade deals” as a
Believes in removing Obama-imposed taxes
strategy to retain manufacturing jobs, improve
and regulation on business, and though publicly
college affordability through improved lending and
opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership, has never
increase access for veterans. Like Reed, wants to
voted against a trade deal. Sees opportunity in
focus on local infrastructure improvements..
renewable energy sector for job creation.
on energy A staunch supporter of nuclear energy as the
While Reed has received accolades for his
energy source of the future. Wants to reduce
promotion of the solar industry, has voted in favor
natural gas use and gradually shift to a more diverse
of barring greenhouse gas regulation and climate
portfolio of renewable energy sources.
taxes. Supports domestic oil drilling over foreign.
on nationa l secu rit y Once advised secretary of the interior on national
Voted to expand the reach of the Patriot Act in
security issues. Released a five point plan to combat
2011. Urged the president to increase pace of inflow
ISIS, including cutting off their funding and
of Syrian refugees earlier this year, but voted for
confronting their online presence.
increased background checks in 2015.
On ca mpa ign fina nce A common part of his stump speech has been based on eliminating “dark money from politics.” Called for an end to Citizen’s United and more transparency in campaign finance.
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Tompkins County District Attorney
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No clear stance on campaign finance reform. This cycle, more than $1.7 million of Reed’s financial support came from PAC funding, $300,000 from Wall Street alone, according to the Center For
s far as election year drama goes, it’s been difficult to surpass the saga that has played out in this year’s race for Tompkins County District Attorney. As far as tradition has dictated, this year should have resulted in the uncontested campaign of lawyer Matthew Van Houten, a soft-spoken alum of both Dryden High School and the United States Military Academy who was nominated by the Democratic Party following t he sudden resignation of incumb e nt Gwe n Wilkinson du r i n g t he summer. Instead, t h i s y e a r ’s r a c e i s between two people–Van Houten, the party’s choice for d ist r ic t attorney– M a t t h e w Va n H o u t e n and Edward Kopko, a former police officer and Pennsylvania assistant D.A. who sued the party after failing to secure its nomination on allegations the process was a behind-thescenes deal to take the public’s right to a vote. Kopko is now running on the independence ticket. “I don’t need to be running,” Kopko said. “I have t he resources and experience to do pretty much what I want to do. I don’t need a nyt hing. But Ed Kopko I don’t l i ke
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