Voters in 29th District Lose Again in Governor Paterson's Nine Month Delay of Special Election; Will Have No Voice in on Critical Fall Votes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tom Reed called Gov. David Paterson’s announcement that a special election would be held on November 2 to fill the 29th District seat “politics at its worst.”

“People see it for what it is,” Reed said. “Western New Yorkers aren’t that gullible. Six hundred and sixty thousand western New Yorkers will have no voice in the House on coming issues such as the carbon tax, immigration reform and the on-going appropriations process that will decide the 2011 Federal budget. The seat has been vacant for over two months and now will go vacant for nine months if this stands.”

“As we have been asking since March, if cost is the issue, then why was money made available to have special elections in New York’s 20th and 23rd districts, but not the 29th district?” Reed asked. “In those other districts, the Democrats could add another vote for their take-over agenda in Washington, but the 29th district might choose a representative who would oppose that agenda. Now that someone opposed to the take-overs might win, they make us wait.”

“Once again, the people of Western New York and the Southern Tier get a raw deal from the Democratic leadership,” Reed observed.

Reed called on Governor Paterson to keep his word, put politics aside and call the special election immediately.

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