NY-27

Press release:

As first reported by the Buffalo News, the Republican chairs in the 27^th District have demanded that Beth Parlato “suspend (her) negative campaign and promote your own candidacy rather than viciously attacking others." (Buffalo News, 5/13/20) 

“GOP leaders say they imposed one requirement on candidates interviewing for the 27th Congressional District seat back in January: refrain from attacks on fellow Republicans. Now those same chairmen from the district's eight counties accuse Beth A. Parlato, the family law attorney competing in the June 23rd Republican primary, of breaking her promise with "nasty, negative" mailings and television ads aimed at Christopher L. Jacobs…” (Buffalo News, 5/13/20) 

“…party leaders say Parlato's jabs at Jacobs could threaten his efforts to win a special election against Democrat Nate McMurray..” (Buffalo News, 5/13/20) 

" 'We respectfully ask that you keep your commitment to run a positive campaign that avoids dividing the vote and potentially costing the Republican Party a member of Congress in the special election,' the leaders told Parlato. 'Please suspend your negative campaign and promote your own candidacy rather than viciously attacking others.' The letter is signed by all eight leaders of the district's Republican committees."(Buffalo News, 5/13/20)

“Republican chairs in the district said by running those ads, Parlato is squelching on a promise she made during the special election candidate nomination process.” (Spectrum News, 5/14/20) 

“Ontario County Republican Chairwoman Trisha Turner, speaking for the leaders' group, said Wednesday she is 'deeply offended' by the Parlato efforts and insists they represent a broken promise.” (Buffalo News, 5/13/20)

" 'No one's ever told her to get out, not to run, just not to do something that would be destructive to a special election and she committed to that and she's broken that commitment,' Turner says.” (Spectrum News, 5/14/20)

…"You pay people a lot of money to create that kind of negative imagery," Turner said, adding that attacks against a fellow Republican competing against McMurray at the same time as the primary are inappropriate. Turner also noted Parlato's earlier criticism of Robert G. Ortt, the North Tonawanda state senator who dropped out of the race after losing the party nod to Jacobs and whom Turner originally supported.” (Buffalo News, 5/13/20)

One county chair described Parlato’s negative campaign as “the continuation of a destructive behavior pattern for her own self-promotion,” and said it seems “like she's working with Nate McMurray." (Buffalo News, 5/13/20)

Press release from Chris Jacobs campaign:

As first reported yesterday by the Buffalo News, all eight Republican chairs in the 27th District have signed a letter to Parlato demanding she “suspend your negative campaign and promote your own candidacy rather than viciously attacking others."

Parlato’s attack ads have been described as “negative” and “nasty.”

“Beth Parlato gave her word last year not to run a negative campaign and not to work to split the vote to hand our congressional seat to a liberal Democrat. Now she’s broken that pledge. We shouldn’t be surprised. Throughout this campaign Beth Parlato has done nothing but attack other candidates, first Rob Ortt and now Chris Jacobs. This is the mark of a desperate candidate. We will not let Beth Parlato succeed in her effort to elect a liberal Democrat to our seat in Congress.”  - Christian Chase, Jacobs for Congress

Press release from Nate McMurray campaign:

“Do the same good old boys network of party bosses and insiders that brought shame to Western NY by fighting for and electing disgraced former Congressman Chris Lee and Chris Collins really expect NY-27 to fall in line...again? They have no credibility. Their attacks on Parlato show weakness, sexism, and hypocrisy.  

"The party machine’s double standard here is laughable. Where were the fainting couches and tissues when Jacobs' aired his lying, racist attack ads against me, which Politifact debunked. And let’s not forget who they really fawn over: Trump. The man whose whole political identity is based on nastiness and name-calling. 

"I don’t agree with Beth Parlato on pretty much anything, but I like how she’s standing up to these bullies. Democracy is not a coronation, and these self-appointed kingmakers need to be humbled. They’re scared of me, but they might be more scared of her. Jacobs’ billions can buy the love of party bosses, but it can’t buy backbone. NY-27 might finally have the people’s showdown in November,” said Nate McMurray.

Press release:

Today Nate McMurray, Democrat running in the special election to fill the Congressional vacancy left when Republican Chris Collins went to jail in NY-27, urged Congress to invest $86 billion in broadband funding in the future COVID-19 response legislation. And he is calling on the Republican candidates to pledge their support or explain why rural New York doesn’t deserve the same access to broadband as Wall Street and New York City.

In 2018, 65 percent of District 27 did not have access to high-speed internet. While New York ranks 4th in connectivity in the country, America is still 30th in mobile speeds and 10th in internet speeds overall. Despite this clear need, McMurray’s opponent in the special election, billionaire Chris Jacobs, has made no progress during his time in the State Senate to bring broadband to working families in Western New York.

McMurray has pledged to expand federal funding to secure broadband for everyone in NY-27, not only to establish better internet but to foster technological prowess, business capabilities, and regional success. 

“Our local internet is slow, even nonexistent in rural areas in NY27, and the pandemic has highlighted our need," McMurray said. "Our national internet on average is far below other industrialized countries. We rank about 10th overall and 30th in mobile speeds, near Romania and the Czech Republic. How is that acceptable?

"America is the place that invented the Internet. We were first. This is the home of Silicon Valley. We should not be 30th. It’s not about Netflix. It’s about better education, more business opportunities, and our future.

"We can’t continue to allow ourselves to be used by monopolistic cable companies that provide substandard service and deprive so many access all. I urge Congress to support expanded funding to ensure that Americans who need broadband service will remain connected during this public health crisis and recovery.”

“As your representative, I will never give up on building infrastructure, for broadband, for our future. May our light and intelligence, the talents of a million minds, flow once again from our region like our famous canal, like a sunburst — talents diversified find vent in myriad forms. Let’s embrace, and build, broadband. Now."

When she first jumped into the race for the NY-27 congressional seat, Darien resident Beth Parlato got off to a fast start in fundraising from individual donors.

She raised $271,000 in eight weeks. Her campaign coffers now stand at $554,153.62, which includes some PAC money and a personal loan but so far that isn't half of the $1,253,465.46 Chris Jacobs has in his campaign account.

Parlato said she knows what she's up against in trying to win a congressional seat against a candidate who can afford to drop $446,000 of his own money into his quest for a seat in D.C. So when the novel coronavirus swept through New York and she was forced to cancel five fundraisers, Parlato took what she thought was the next most sensible route to keep her effort financed. She borrowed $150,000 against her property on Seven Day Road.

That loan, which she turned around and loaned to her campaign, promoted a reader to contact The Batavian and suggest the loan violated Federal Election Commission rules.

At first blush, based on language on the FEC site, that might seem true.

When a candidate obtains a bank loan for use in connection with his or her campaign, the loan is considered to be from the bank and not from the candidate's personal funds.

However, two experts in campaign finance interviewed by The Batavian for this story said Parlato's use of money obtained from a second mortgage to make a personal campaign loan is legal.

"It's her personal money," said Paul Cole, a Republican who was once heavily involved in WNY politics, working for Tom Reynolds and Chris Lee before running David Bellavia's 2012 primary campaign. He is not currently involved with any congressional campaign.

"She's going to be personally responsible for paying back that banknote regardless of what happens in terms of the campaign," Cole said. "She's going to have to pay back that loan."

While the campaign, if it raises enough money, can repay the loan to Parlato, if the campaign for any reason can't raise enough money to pay back the loan, Cole said Parlato is still personally responsible to repay the money to the bank.

Michael E. Toner, an election law attorney in Washington, D.C., also said it is legal for a candidate to take out a second mortgage on his or her own property and then loan that money for a loan to his or her campaign.

A footnote on the FEC site also indicates such a loan is permissible:

The personal funds of a candidate include: Assets which the candidate has a legal right of access to or control over, and which he or she has legal title to or an equitable interest in, at the time of candidacy ...

Parlato, who is endorsed by the Conservative Party and is running the GOP primary, has raised $376,691 from individual contributors. She collected another $11,000 from political action committees.

Jacobs, the endorsed Republican in the special election and also a candidate in the primary, has raised $720,856 from individual contributors. He's also raised -- from PACs, other congressional campaigns, and corporations -- $85,699.

The other Republican in the race is Stefan Mychajliw, who has raised $75,576. He's loaned his campaign $465.

Democrat Nate McMurray, running in both the special election and unopposed in the Democratic primary, has raised $527,886. He's received more than $30,000 from PACs and has not loaned his campaign any money.

The Libertarian candidate is Duane Whitmer, who has raised more than $20,000, half of which comes from a loan from himself to his campaign.

CORRECTION:  Parlato is not a candidate in the special election, as previously stated.

Interview with David Bellavia, Medal of Honor Recipient, and a one-time candidate for NY-27. We're going to talk about the NY-27 race and the situation with the novel coronavirus. We're scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

Press release:

A new television ad released by the Jacobs Campaign will highlight President Trump’s “complete endorsement” of Chris Jacobs for New York’s 27th Congressional District.

In his endorsement of Jacobs, the President stated, “Chris will be a great Congressman who will always fight for the people of New York. He supports our MAGA Agenda, will continue to secure our border, loves our military, vets, and is strong on the [Second Amendment].”

“I’m deeply grateful and proud to be the only candidate with his endorsement," Jacobs said. "The President is working tirelessly to defeat COVID-19 and the challenges it has created.

"While Democrats, like Nate McMurray and Nancy Pelosi, are abusing the situation to advance their radical socialist agenda -- I look forward to joining President Trump on June 23rd and getting right to work fighting for the people of Western New York and helping the President get tough on China, secure our borders, and rebuild our economy.” 

Press release:

Today, Nate McMurray, candidate for U.S. Congress in NY-27, called on President Trump’s administration to adopt a national COVID-19 response plan that would test, track and treat across all 50 states.

McMurray also criticized his opponent State Senator Chris Jacobs for his lack of leadership in the midst of the pandemic following a WBEN interview on  Sunday, where Jacobs downplayed the need for widely available, comprehensive testing.  

“The President must follow-through on his March 6th promise to provide tests for all Americans; to date, only 1 percent of the nation has been tested and national laboratories are citing critical funding and material shortages to produce more tests," McMurray said. "It is un-American to leave states without support in this unprecedented crisis as the death toll continues to rise.

"We need a unified strategy if we’re going to beat this thing together; not 50 different strategies that leave our families unnecessarily vulnerable, and prolong us reopening the economy in a sustainable way. Meanwhile, Chris Jacobs is dangerously laxed over the urgency of the situation and pandering to the President because he’s afraid to put party politics aside to fight for the safety of Western New Yorkers."

According to the COVID Tracking Project, last week the country performed about 860,000 tests but experts say millions of tests per week are needed. While states like California and Oregon have rolled out plans that include widespread testing as a prerequisite for reopening, there is no comprehensive national plan or guidelines in place. 

“We failed to implement widespread testing as a country months ago, which only keeps American families from getting back to work," McMurray said. "Jacobs can personally afford to ignore the urgency here and vote against COVID-19 funding like he recently did in the State Senate because, unlike so many living in NY-27, he has access to quality health care and cannot relate to someone who would need paid sick leave.

"We absolutely cannot continue to wing this. We need a national, Marshall plan that summons the mighty power of this nation. Countries with much less affluence and technological advantage are far out-performing the United States in response to this pandemic."

McMurray supports the following: 

1) Expanding the capacity to conduct rapid same-day testing for everyone with COVID-19 symptoms. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), in collaboration with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should be fully engaged to ensure all states have access to testing and required testing materials.

2) Ensuring tests are free. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Labor should oversee this effort and be the point of contact for patients that were charged for a test. 

3) Strengthening the testing supply chain to incentivize the production of testing supplies and PPE for our healthcare workers within the United States and require HHS and FEMA to conduct weekly reporting about potential shortages.

4) Implementing surveillance (test & trace) systems nationwide and enabling the CDC to provide COVID-19 surveillance grants, which will allow states flexibility in how they achieve test & trace of samples of the population, and identify small outbreaks early, especially in populations where there is a higher risk of contracting or transmitting the virus.

Press release:

Trump endorsed Republican candidate for Congress (NY-27) was joined by four members of the Republican House Leadership on Monday for a conference call to give a campaign update for supporters, as well as discuss congressional responses to COVID-19 and China.

“We’ve been working to reach voters in new ways during COVID-19 and it was excellent to be joined by members of House Leadership to talk with supporters as we move into the final stages of this election -- June 23rd is a critical first step to taking back the House majority in November and ending Nancy Pelosi’s tenure as speaker,” Jacobs said.

Joining him on the call were Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-WY), and NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer (R-MN). Leader McCarthy and Whip Scalise have also previously joined the President in endorsing Jacobs for Congress.

“Major decisions are being made in Washington right now, and the Democrats have been dead set on using the challenges created by COVID-19 to advance their political agenda," Jacobs said. "These [Republican] members have been working hard every day to put politics aside and get critical support to the American people, and I am looking forward to joining their team in June and working rebuild our country.

“I’m proud to have the endorsement of President Trump and the President knows my experience and record and that he can count on me to help him rebuild our economy, secure our borders, and get tough on China. I am ready to join the fight and I’m thankful for the strong support and united effort from President Trump’s allies like Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, and Liz Cheney."

Press release:

Nate McMurray, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in NY-27, outraised opponent Chris Jacobs in the first FEC filing of 2020. Despite the challenge of fundraising during the pandemic, McMurray’s momentum continues to swell.

The campaign attracted more than 15 times the number of donors (1,683 total donors) than the Jacobs campaign (110 total donors). Sixty-three percent of McMurray’s quarter one donors live within the 27th Congressional District and 80 percent live in New York State. 

“Jacobs wrote his campaign a check for nearly half a million dollars and had the Jacobs family empire funneling him support so that he could get his racist attack ads up against me a couple months ago," McMurray said. "Thousands of struggling New Yorkers responded loud and clear by sacrificing their hard-earned money during a national crisis to stand with our grassroots campaign and reject partisan politics as usual.

"Everyday Americans have clearly had enough of detached millionaires like convicted Chris Collins buying congressional seats for personal gain while they are barely making ends meet. While my opponent voted to deny vulnerable New York families paid sick leave during this unprecedented pandemic, our campaign team made 50,000 phone calls to NY-27 families to check in on them and make sure they had access to the resources available to them during this national disaster.

"The people of this district have been without real representation for years; the outpouring of support from so many Western New Yorkers to send me to Washington is, in large part, because they know I will fight for all of them, regardless of party affiliation.”

From the Genesee County Board of Elections:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Presidential Primary Election and NY-27 Special Election, which were scheduled to take place on Tuesday April 28^th at your regular polling locations, have been postponed.

There will be NO voting this coming Tuesday (April 28) and NO Early Voting!

The April 28^th Presidential Primary and NY-27 Special Election have been moved to the June 23^rd Primary date. 

You can vote absentee instead of going to the polls on June 23rd by going to our website, going to departments and elections where you can print an absentee application. Fill it out checking the box that says temporary illness in the first block of questions and in the second block of questions check Primary Election only.

You can also call our office at (585) 815-7804 to request an absentee application. After filling out your absentee application you can either mail it in to the Genesee County Board of Elections, or scan and email your application back into our office for processing.

Our email address is:   election@co.genesee.ny.us

Visit our Facebook Page for updates at Genesee Co. NY Board of Elections.                                                                               

Lorie J. Longhany, Democratic Commissioner

Richard E. Seibert, Republican Commissioner

Board of Elections

**********

County Building One, 15 Main St., Batavia

Phone: (585) 815-7804

FAX: (585) 344-8562

www.co.genesee.ny.us

Press release:

Today, Nate McMurray, candidate for U.S. Congress in the June 23 special election in NY-27, condemned U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for holding hostage critically needed aid for New Yorkers, and called on opponent Chris Jacobs to do the same.

“Even the idea of the federal government turning their back on states during the biggest healthcare crisis in U.S. history is unfathomable and should infuriate all of us, regardless of party affiliation," McMurray said. "This is not ‘free money’, it exists to serve the American people and to ensure they are able to receive everyday critical services like those provided by our First Responders and school districts here in Western New York.”

The U.S. Senate, under McConnell’s leadership, rejected essential funding for state and local governments in the latest emergency relief bill this week. McConnell said he’d favor states’ declaring bankruptcy over providing additional federal aid to states facing catastrophic budget gaps during the COVID-19 crisis.

“New York invests $116 billion dollars into the federal government, and the people of the 27th deserve their fair share as they struggle to make ends meet, now more than ever," McMurray said.

"As a sitting NYS Senator, Chris Jacobs should know this better than most, but I’m not holding my breath for him to buck his party line and stand up for what’s right after he recently voted against providing New Yorkers paid sick leave during the pandemic. The people of NY-27 have gone years without real, independent leadership; they cannot afford to be abandoned by the government in their darkest hour."

Press release:

Today, New York U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced her endorsement of Nate McMurray for the Special Election in NY-27. 

"I'm proud to endorse Nate McMurray for New York's 27th Congressional District," Senator Gillibrand said. "Now more than ever, we need independent leaders in Washington who will fight for everyday Americans over corporate special interests. Nate's extensive domestic and international business experience and record of expanding economic opportunities to create jobs will be critical to rebuilding Upstate New York in the difficult months ahead."  

“I’m incredibly honored to have Senator Gillibrand’s support for our campaign,” McMurray said. “She has paved the way in the fight for working families on everything from pay equity to advocating for critical support for rural communities in Western New York. I Iook forward to working with the Senator to improve the lives of all New Yorkers and all Americans once we win the Special Election on June 23rd.”

Press release:

Yesterday, President Trump named political strategist and Republican campaign veteran Michael Caputo as the spokesperson of Health and Human Services. Caputo is a Western New York native, where he has engaged in years of misinformation, lies and political deceit in public relations positions locally and in Russia.

Up until very recently, Caputo was a registered agent of a foreign power. He will now represent the agency protecting the health of Americans during a national crisis -- despite no personal public health or executive experience.

Nate McMurray, the Democratic candidate for the NY-27 congressional district, said: “We know Caputo here. He’s the guy lying on local talk radio making up stories and attending Steve Bannon rallies. He’s the guy putting up billboards honoring disgraced Congressman Chris Collins, and begging people to vote for Collins.

"He is a prankster not a statesman and it’s important to make that clear, because appointing him to a position like this during a crisis is beyond reckless; it represents malice toward America.”

McMurray calls upon all candidates for the Special Election for NY-27 to denounce the appointment of Caputo at this critical time. He especially denotes the budding relationship between Jacobs and Caputo.

McMurray added, “Jacobs joined in with Trump’s local posse because he wants power. He will go along with anything for that power. That is why he voted against COVID-19 sick pay. That is why he followed Caputo’s lead and shared false stories about the Governor stealing ventilators from our hospitals.

"Jacobs should change course now because he may find out real quick what I am afraid the American people will find out soon enough; Caputo will betray you in a heartbeat if it helps him.”

Press release:

At this time Michael Caputo is not able to discuss his appointment by President Trump just yet. He has asked his friend and NY-27 Congressional candidate Stefan I. Mychajliw to speak for his family. The following statement from Mychajliw concerns Caputo’s White House appointment as Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services for Public Affairs.

“The Caputo family remains in East Aurora, as Michael and Maryna have decided it’s safer for them to stay here. Unfortunately, that also means Michael won’t see them for a long time, since he cannot move back and forth safely from Washington.

"Michael told me it wasn’t a hard decision. When the President called him, he saluted and packed up his things. Those of us who are close to his family know this is a huge sacrifice for them. They’re very close, having lived through the abuse of Russia investigations, surviving all the hardships, getting stronger together. His little girls are the most affected.

"Before he left, Michael and I talked often. He’s as worried as all of us are about the pandemic, but he’s been deeply affected by what he saw in East Aurora: local businesses closed, shopkeepers concerned for their survival, so many neighbors out of work. He called it a ghost town; it really spooked him.

"I’ve worked side by side with Michael on many campaigns, including President Trump’s victorious election in 2016. He is one of the best communications specialists in the country. Those of us who know him best know he’ll do well.

"We need measured leadership in Washington to help clearly communicate the hard work President Trump is putting in flattening the coronavirus curve and getting our economy back on track. Michael will be a strong asset for the President in delivering that message.”

Press release:

Today, NY-27 congressional candidate Nate McMurray voiced his support of Governor Cuomo’s recent announcement to allow all New Yorkers to vote absentee in the Special Election that will be held on June 23rd.

 In addition to expanded absentee balloting, McMurray is advocating for legislation that enables the Board of Elections to send all eligible voters a ballot by mail. The ballots could be mailed-in or deposited, as applicable, at drop-off locations, voter service and/or polling centers. 

 “New Yorkers should not have to face the same tough situation that the people of Wisconsin just experienced, we will not make room for voter suppression," McMurray said. "We must do better. We must go further to protect our communities and people and allow any and all voters to mail-in a ballot.

"Let’s prioritize the health of our community and be proactive -- we need to send every registered voter a ballot in the mail. In our democratic society, no person should have to make a choice between their health and their right to vote.”

Press release:

Chris Jacobs, the Republican nominee for New York’s 27th congressional district, is calling on Congress to add additional funding to the Paycheck Protection Program.

“The CARES Act provided small businesses with a critical $350 billion in funding, but as the COVID-19 crisis continues more small businesses will need this critical funding to ensure they can care for their employees and still be operational when this challenge is over,” Jacobs said. “I am joining Secretary Mnuchin in strongly urging Congress to add critical additional funding to the program so any small business that needs help can get it. Our Western New York economy depends on it.”

Small businesses in Western New York and around the country are currently applying for the Paycheck Protection Program to ensure they can keep employees employed and cover essential operations of their businesses.

The Paycheck Protection Program is $350 billion loan program enacted as part of the CARES Act signed by President Trump. The program, governed by the Small Business Association (SBA), provides businesses an eight-week loan of cash flow.

The loan can be forgiven if the business uses at least 75 percent of the money to cover payroll costs and the remainder is used for rent, mortgage, or utilities. For more information, click here.

Press release:

NY-27 Congressional candidate Stefan I. Mychajliw Jr. is calling on candidate Chris Jacobs to apologize for an inflammatory and false tweet about ventilators being taken from Buffalo General Hospital.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an Executive Order authorizing the National Guard to confiscate ventilators and medical equipment from our medical facilities here to be taken for patients in and around New York City. The Jacobs campaign posted a false claim about 30 ventilators being taken from Buffalo General Hospital.

The incendiary tweet by the Jacobs campaign has since been deleted.

“People are scared," Mychajliw said. "Our community is panicking. Young and old are fearful of dying. Many people lost their jobs. The last thing we need is someone falsely fanning the flames of discord just to score a few cheap political points in the middle of a campaign. Chris Jacobs must apologize for this false, reckless and irresponsible claim.

“We need a steady hand. Elected leaders need to work together to stop Governor Cuomo. During these difficult times we need reassuring, measured leadership. This incendiary tweet represents the worst of politics during these challenging times."

The false tweet about 30 ventilators being confiscated from a Buffalo area hospital comes on the heels of Jacobs voting against paid leave for workers that lost their job due to the coronavirus crisis. The Jacobs family business, Delaware North, also placed almost 2,000 employees on temporary leave.

“Delaware North said it has placed more than two-thirds of its 3,100 full-time employees on temporary leave. That includes several hundred workers at its downtown headquarters on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo.”

Source: www.wbfo.org, “Pegulas pledge $1.2M in community aid; Delaware North cuts 2/3 of its workforce,” Mark Wozniak, March 25^th, 2020.

“All you need to know about Chris Jacobs: he voted against providing desperate relief to hard working people that lost their job because of the Coronavirus crisis. Now he’s trying to dodge and deflect that heartless vote by making false claims about ventilators being taken.This is not the kind of leadership we need in Congress,” concluded Mychajliw.

Press release:

Today, NY-27th congressional candidate Nate McMurray voiced his opposition to a delayed sentence and potential pardon for former GOP Representative Chris Collins.

Yesterday, a federal judge granted a two-month delay for the prison surrender of Collins, who in January was sentenced to serve 26 months in prison for conspiracy to commit securities fraud and lying to the FBI. Collins’ lawyers argued that he has a high risk of contracting the coronavirus.

“No average citizen would be allowed this preferential treatment over and over again," McMurray said. "Collins’ high-priced lawyers bought him another two months of freedom. Chris Collins broke the law numerous times and disgraced Western New York and he has left this region without a leader during an unprecedented crisis.

“Collins’ legal team is attempting to seek a pardon for after the June 23rd election. My opponents Chris Jacobs, Stefan Mychajliw and Beth Parlato must stand up and say this is wrong. All three of them were either silent when Chris Collins ran or openly campaigned for him. Such behavior has to end now.”

Press release from Chris Jacobs, NY-27 Republican Congressional candidate:

“For decades China has been able to conduct itself without recourse or responsibility. Their actions have threatened the economic stability of the world numerous times, and their manipulating has caused weakened global security; all while continuously committing human rights atrocities. Their handling of the COVID-19, lying and covering it up, has directly resulted in the death and suffering of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

"I applaud Rep. Stefanik for her leadership in introducing legislation to finally hold China accountable for their atrocities, and I urge every member of Congress to join her in supporting this measure. We need to send a loud and clear message that China’s actions will no longer be tolerated, and I plan on joining my future colleagues in Congress in supporting similar future measures. This is a matter of global security.”

Press release:

Nate McMurray, Democratic congressional candidate in the June 23rd Special Election, in line with recommendations from the New York State Election Commissioners Association, is calling on New York State to take immediate action to protect the electoral process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

McMurray is also calling for debates with all three Republican candidates in the Primary Election that is also scheduled for June 23rd.

“Delaying the 27th Special Election and prioritizing public health over politics was the right thing to do to protect the people of Western New York," McMurray said. "We must also do everything we can to maintain voter confidence during this crisis, as well as their access to information about the candidates campaigning to be their next representative.

"We need to expand the ability of our residents to vote from the safety of their own homes. We must protect the health of our community and accommodate the local Boards of Elections with additional resources and flexibilities."

McMurray supports the following:

1. For New York State to amend 8-400 of NYS Election Law to allow for Absentee Balloting during all times of declared state of emergency due to infectious disease or pandemic.

2. Provide local County Board of Elections immediate additional state funding  and the flexibility needed to support an expanded absentee ballot effort.

3. Holding at least (3) three debates in the weeks leading up to June 23rd with all candidates appearing on the ballots in the 27th Congressional District Special and Primary elections.

“The 27th Congressional District has been unrepresented for too long, and when Western New Yorkers finally have the opportunity to cast their ballots in June, they should be able to do so with as much information as possible about where candidates stand on the critical issues impacting us all," McMurray said.