Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The candidates for NY23 appeared individually Friday with WBEN's David Bellavia. Each had approximately 20 minutes to answer questions on varying issues.
One of the central issues that came up was gun reform. Democrat Max Della Pia says work has to be done to reach consensus. "I believe there is consensus with universal background checks that have no exceptions for gun sales, for transfers among family members and friends," says Della Pia. He says there's no reason that we should allow people who are on the no fly list people who are domestic abusers that have mental issues to have guns. "There's no reason that someone out there needs a 30 round magazine. I mean, really, if you need 30 runs to take down a deer," adds Della Pia.
Republican Carl Paladino says the issue isn't guns, but mental illness. "I believe that our country, and every state in this country should be putting more resources into red flagging those that need help, and ensuring that they get help," says Paladino. He contends state lawmakers recklessly passed a new law on where a person can carry a concealed weapon after the Supreme Court struck down the state's previous law. "That flies in the face of the Supreme Court ruling and overly restricts the carry of pistols by individuals who are duly licensed," contends Paladino.
Fellow Republican candidate Nick Langworthy says New York state already has far more gun laws than we ever need, and they haven't made things safer. "That was proven right in the top shooting in Buffalo, all the gun laws in the world didn't save a single life that day." says Langworthy. He agrees with Paladino mental health is an issue. "People that are crazed, that want to do others harm are going to find a way to do that," adds Langworthy. He believes you have to invest in mental health.
On the topic of domestic and international threats, the Republican candidates agree on one thing: China. "The Chinese economic might over our economy is is, is frightening. And internationally, they're they're trying to increase their military capability. I mean, we are well on we are in the midst of a Cold War, whether we want it or not," says Langworthy. He adds China is responsible for the coronavirus pandemic and they've not been held accountable.
Paladino agrees on China as the international threat. "Is China committing cyber crimes against the United States. Is China the only place where fentanyl is made? Why did they get away with it? Why is China allowed to get away with producing fentanyl which comes in through Mexico?" Paladino says China has yet to be sanctioned. Domestically, Paladino adds the Antifa movement and and influence of al Qaeda. "The actions of these groups recently in in, in our country have been debilitating," notes Paladino.
Della Pia believes the biggest domestic threat is domestic terrorism. "If you look at the the actual data, the actual losses and damage that we've experienced. It's actually terrorists from within," says Della Pia, referring to the Oklahoma City bombing. Della Pia says China is the international threat. "They're making claims on islands in the Pacific. that are, that are there are many other people who make claims to, and they're investing a lot of money around the world to develop ports, and the ability to for a global reach,". He adds Russia is also an international threat.
Ken Kruly of Politicsandstuff.com says Della Pia is at a disadvantage when it comes to enrollment. But whether he wins depends on who wins the Republican primary. 'I think that if Paladino wins the primary that you're probably going to see a lot of activity going towards Della Pia locally and nationally to try and keep Paladino out of Congress," says Kruly. If Langworhty wins, Kruly doesn't think that attention will be on NY23. "Langworthy fits a description of a more generic Republican candidate," says Kruly.
GOP strategist Carl Calabrese says it's tough to handicap the Republican primary. But he does note the 10 counties that are in NY23 are Trump supporters. "That Trump constituency really wants a disrupter as their candidate as their congressman. They are committed to that, to that approach to that philosophy, the Trump philosophy, the Trump agenda, the Trump approach, and they're going to vote," and that means an edge to Paladino. Calabrese notes Langworthy has the advantage of being the state chair, having a very good solid relationship with every one of those Republican county chairs. He says they have a lot to say on getting the vote out.
Come November, Calabrese says it will be a heavy lift for Della Pia, regardliess of opponent. "It will take a combination of things, what's going to happen, mistakes on big, big mistakes on the part of the Republican candidate, a major turnaround in in Biden stuff, fortunately, extremely good campaign for on his part," says Calabrese,
The congressional primary is August 23.