Mitrano Wins NY 23rd Democratic Primary

Tracy Mitrano (Image from www.TracyMitranoForCongress.com)

PENN YAN – Tracy Mitrano will face Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) in the 2018 midterm election for the New York 23rd Congressional District.

That after absentee ballots were counted on July 3, showing that Mitrano received the most votes in the district’s 5-way Democratic Primary.

After multiple boards of elections in various counties within the 23rd counted absentee ballots, Mitrano received a call from Democratic candidate Max Della Pia,  who conceded the Primary to Mitrano.

Della Pia held a slim lead over Mitrano following the vote count from Primary night, but an overwhelming number of absentee votes were in her favor, allowing her to take the lead for good.

Mitrano’s statement from July 3 is as follows:

Max Della Pia called me this afternoon to concede the NY-23 Democratic Primary. I thanked Max for stepping up to run and mobilizing a strong base of supporters.

I would also like to thank all of the candidates for their courage in taking that extra step and running for office. They saw the challenges facing our District, and devoted their money, hearts, and lives to help the country we all love. Thank you to:

Karl Warrington, who campaigned with real heart;

Charles Whalen, who brought keen analysis;

Rick Gallant, who spoke so powerfully for teachers and unions;

Eddie Sundquist, who so effectively reminded us how this district has been failed by poor congressional leadership;

Linda Andrei, who shined a light on the importance of meaningful healthcare reform; and

Ian Golden, who galvanized the people who have felt disenfranchised from politics.

I also want to thank everyone who voted in the NY-23 Democratic primary. You are the backbone, the driving force, the spirit behind our growing movement to put people first. I decided to run for office because of you. I share this victory with each and every one of you.

This crowded primary election was tough. But it also has been a shining example of the energy and renewed civic duty that has broken out all across our country.

Now is the time to heal this district. What we have in common is far greater than that which divides us. Let’s re-establish accountability and common sense in our politics. Let us join together, farmers and small business people, urban and rural, young and elderly, minority and majority populations, immigrants and native-born. Let’s work toward health care, education, labor, and immigration reform; robust infrastructure of roads, transportation, and internet; let’s build the foundation that will attract new investment and bring 21st century jobs to this district.

But for a moment tonight, let us celebrate! Let’s celebrate the hope we feel among all people of this district, friends, neighbors and family, a community spirit towards Republicans and Independents and Democrats alike. Together, let’s put people first.”

Mitrano will now focus her attention on November’s general election, in which she faces Reed, an entrenched incumbent who was fist elected to Congress in 2010 and who has a significant lead over her in campaign funding.

In addition to appearing on the Democratic line of the ballot, Mitrano will also have her name on the Working Families and Womens Equality Party lines of the ballot.