The Post-Standard: “The incumbent insists he hasn’t changed his approach, saying ‘performative bipartisanship’ doesn’t serve the people. While we’re glad Williams is reaching across the aisle, his sudden embrace of bipartisanship sure feels performative.”
Ahead of today’s final debate in New York’s 22nd Congressional District, here’s a reminder that John Mannion is the candidate who will bring his “centrist, independent and constituents-first approach” to the halls of Congress.
In their editorial endorsement of Mannion, The Post-Standard outlined how MAGA extremist Brandon Williams has failed to bring bipartisan leadership and deliver results for Central New York and Mohawk Valley families – and his “sudden embrace of bipartisanship sure feels performative” in the midst of facing one of the toughest re-election campaigns in the country.
Meanwhile, John Mannion “believes in bipartisanship and says he would model his congressional service on centrist predecessors, such as Reps. Sherwood Boehlert, Richard Hanna, Michael Arcuri and John Katko” which is critical in Congress “where nothing gets done without cooperation between Republicans and Democrats.”
John Mannion – whom the Editorial Board describes as “more in tune with Central New York” – is the clear choice for New York’s 22nd Congressional District.
DCCC Spokesperson Ellie Dougherty:
“John Mannion has dedicated his life to delivering for his community, whether as a public school teacher, union president, or State Senator, and he’s ready to build on that strong record in Congress. Brandon Williams has repeatedly proven he’s out of touch with Central New York and Mohawk Valley families, and they’ll vote him out one week from today.”
Two years ago, Republican Brandon Williams, an unknown, eked out a slim victory over another unknown to win the open seat in the 22nd Congressional District. This election cycle, Williams is an incumbent with a record to defend and a higher standard to meet.
Williams’s first year was consumed by office turmoil and a medical issue. A recent tack toward bipartisan legislating is too little, too late. The incumbent also lacks visibility in the district, so much so that even fellow Republicans took notice of his absence on local issues.
The editorial board endorses Williams’s challenger, Democrat John Mannion, to bring his centrist, independent and constituents-first approach to representation from Albany to Washington.
Mannion, of Geddes, was a longtime teacher at West Genesee and president of his teacher’s union before narrowly winning election to the state Senate four years ago in a tough district for Democrats. He prevailed upon leadership to create a Committee on Disabilities and was appointed to lead it. Most of his 88 bills signed into law or awaiting the governor’s signature came out of that committee. Mannion also has sponsored legislation to help Cross Lake constituents whose properties regularly flood and to provide the state economic development subsidies that sealed Micron’s decision to come to Central New York.
Mannion says his votes align with the needs of his constituents, not political lines. He split with Democrats on 39 votes this year, making him the fourth most independent Democratic senator.
Despite what you see on TV, Mannion was not in office when legislators passed a raft of criminal justice reforms that critics blame for a surge in juvenile crime. He voted three times to tighten those laws and thinks they can be tightened more without undermining their intent to make the justice system fairer to poor people and people of color.
Bipartisanship means little in Albany, where Democrats are in charge of both the legislative and executive branches. It is everything in Washington, where nothing gets done without cooperation between Republicans and Democrats.
Mannion says he believes in bipartisanship and says he would model his congressional service on centrist predecessors, such as Reps. Sherwood Boehlert, Richard Hanna, Michael Arcuri and John Katko. As we said two years ago, that style of leadership is more in tune with Central New York and the deeply purple 22nd Congressional District than Williams’s more partisan approach.
In 2023, the nonpartisan Lugar Center ranked Williams 327th out of 435 House members on its bipartisan index.
The incumbent insists he hasn’t changed his approach, saying “performative bipartisanship” doesn’t serve the people. While we’re glad Williams is reaching across the aisle, his sudden embrace of bipartisanship sure feels performative.
When it comes to tackling local concerns, such as concentrated poverty and affordable housing, Williams has nothing of substance to offer.
Based on their records in office and approaches to governing, we believe Mannion would more effectively represent Central New York and the Mohawk Valley in Congress. The editorial board endorses him in the 22nd Congressional District.
