Months after Representative Claudia Tenney told reporters that she was looking forward to hosting live town halls, the freshman Republican doubled down on her promise yesterday, telling the Utica Observer Dispatch that she “can’t wait” to host an in-person town hall.
There’s just one problem.
Rather than actually keeping her word, Tenney has instead spent months conjuring up weak excuses for why she won’t meet with her constituents. As Binghamton 34 reported, “the freshman Congresswoman continues to change her reasoning for not [holding a town hall],” including that:
- She didn’t want shouting matches with “paid protesters,” an often repeated claim, since given a “false” Politifact rating.
- She required a Capitol Police investigation into threats against her office.
- She preferred meeting constituents one on one.
- Finally, her office regressed back to her original line, claiming she’s trying to schedule a town hall for the summer.
“Representative Tenney is treating her constituents like Charlie Brown, but instead of a football it’s her promises to hold a town hall,” said DCCC Spokesman Evan Lukaske. “Tenney’s bait-and-switch games further demonstrate that Tenney believes she only needs to answer to the Republican Party, instead of her actual constituents.”