by Doug La Rocque
The Democratic candidate for the 19th Congressional District held a Town Hall meeting at the Hoosick Falls Armory on Saturday, October 13. Antonio Delgado is challenging Republican Incumbent Congressman John Faso. He, of course, touched on the PFOA problems in both Hoosick and Petersburgh, calling upon the Environmental Protection Agency to release a long-delayed report on drinking water quality.
Mr. Delgado also spent a lot of time talking about the current level of divisiveness in this country, something he feels began in 2016 with the election of President Donald Trump. Asked by The Eastwick Press how you solve the problem, Mr. Delgado’s answer was “leadership.” He feels it is important to get “a new crop of people in government who are committed to working together to end the divisiveness.” He began his conversation on the subject, telling a crowd of just under 100 people, “before anything, we are Americans, before anything, we are in this together.”
The candidate also reiterated he does not advocate a complete government take over of health care, but is a strong proponent of what he calls “a public option.” Those in the health care system could choose to remain in their current health insurance program, or join a government sponsored system that they would pay into.
On immigration, he said he was not in favor of open borders, and he said we must control illegal immigration into this country. He was critical of the President’s immigration policies however, especially when it comes to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), also know as Dreamers. He said this is the only country they know, that they are productive and vibrant members of society, and it was “time to come up with a plan to let them come out of the shadows.”
Other topics mentioned by Mr. Delgado as he took questions from the room were term limits, mental health care, Medicare, new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the opioid epidemic, and climate change.
As is to be expected at a political gathering, the candidate was critical of his opponent’s record and how he deals with his constituents. He noted he has had a discussion with former Congressman Chris Gibson, of whom he says he differs philosophically, but has great respect for the way he conducted himself while in office.
Most have seen or heard the extensive amount of advertising surrounding this congressional campaign, much of the money coming from national party coffers. The seat, while currently held by a Republican, is seen by Democrats as a possible takeover in their bid to reduce or even end the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.