By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Erie County attorney Kevin T. Stocker, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for Congress in the 23rd District, introduced himself to a small group of interested voters at a town hall-style meeting in Olean Saturday.
Stocker, who has run for Assembly and state Senate as both a Republican and Democrat, told about a dozen people at the Olean Public Library, that he has a history with Rep. Nick Langworthy when he was Erie County and New York State Republican chairman.
Stocker noted that he had chosen the town hall-style meeting as a way to involve those attending who have questions. People can always interrupt with a question, he said.
He has chosen the same type of meeting that Langworthy and many other Republican congressmen and senators have avoided because of voter concerns about the Big Beautiful Bill and its impact on a wide array of issues from Medicaid to health care subsidies and SNAP benefits. Langworthy prefers to hold monthly telephone town meetings.
Stocker accused Langworthy of avoiding town halls and not responding to constituents’ concerns. He also criticized the Trump administration’s dismantling of public education, social services and veterans services to give tax breaks to billionaires.
“I am calling Nick Langworthy a coward because he doesn’t have the guts to show up eyeball to eyeball and tell you why he’s betraying you to give the billionaires their tax breaks. I find that outrageous.”
Stocker said he changed his affiliation to Democrat and has denounced Trumpism. It’s even worse that what I thought. My goal is to travel throughout this district and earn the support of Democrats, Republicans and independents. I’m interviewing for the job. You are my boss.”
Stocker records his town hall meetings and posts links to thyme on his website, stockerforcongress.com
“We know the government services they are cutting right and left. They want to be beholden to the billionaires that are getting all their tax breaks that fund the government.”
Stocker said, “So when we talk about fighting for hard working families, I believe we are headed down a road that we need a contract with America.” Social Security, he added, is not enough for retired seniors who often have to choose between food and medication.
Stocker also touched on his beliefs that “Social Security should go higher,” and “we should improve our nursing homes.” Grocery prices, utilities, transportation and housing are too expensive and need to come down, he added.
Stocker said Great Lakes Cheese in Franklinville, which was in the news recently for polluting Ischua Creek, needed to “invest in technology to protect the environment and the drinking water.”
Stocker said he doesn’t think President Trump wants democracy to continue. “I am anticipating they are trying to orchestrate martial law.”
Stocker said he needs 32% to 35% of Republicans to support his candidacy in the midterm elections next year, 60% of independent voters and Democrats to win in this ruby-red district that runs across the Southern Tier and contains much of suburban and rural Erie County.
First, it appears he’ll have to run in a Democratic primary against Aaron Gies, a St. Bonaventure University professor of Franciscan studies, from Olean. The primary, if both candidates qualify, will be held June 23, 2026.
