By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
Both Democratic candidates in the 23rd Congressional District primary are stepping up their games in their bid to challenge Rep. Nick Langworthy in November.
Aaron Gies of Olean and Buffalo lawyer Kevin Stocker filed Democratic nominating petitions with the New York State Board of Elections ahead of last Monday’s deadline.
Gies, an associate professor of theology at St. Bonaventure University, said he filed petitions with 8,200 signatures, more than six times the 1,250 signatures needed for the congressional nomination. He thanked the more than 420 people who circulated petitions on his behalf.
Stocker filed petitions with around 1,800 signatures, about 500 of which he said he obtained himself.
With an eye toward the Democratic primary June 23, both Gies and Stocker know they have to step up their fundraising. Not only is NY 23 “ruby red,” but incumbent Langworthy had $1.9 million cash on hand as of Dec. 31, 2025, according to the Federal Elections Commission.
Gies’ grass roots campaign reported $50,404 in cash on hand as of Dec. 31, after having raised $109,816 since July. The FEC had not listed first quarter campaign reports as of April 10.
Stocker raised $670 in contributions last year and loaned his campaign $24,735. As of Dec. 31, he reported zero cash on hand, disbursements of $25,340, and the remaining loan of $24,735.
Gies, who will also be on the Working Families Party line, said he was looking to make a statement by obtaining so many nominating signatures. “I think it really means a lot about the strength of this movement and people’s appetite for change.”
Besides seeking individuals’ signatures on his petitions, he said he continued to hold town halls, raising money, media appearances and other events. “I went to all nine counties in the district to gather signatures, and I’m not sure he (Stocker) can say that,” Gies added.
Fundraising, he said, is both a challenge and an opportunity. “It’s a challenge because our opponent (Langworthy) is very well funded.” Fundraising “also dictates how you spend your time. And of course, having a primary means you have to spend money on a primary, which means even more time devoted to fundraising.”
Being successful in fundraising “will allow us to reach out to the independent and unaffiliated voters that we really want to make sure we connect with.”
The 23rd Congressional District is made up of five counties: Cattaraugus, Allegany, Chautauqua, Chemung and Tioga counties, plus parts of Erie, Niagara, Steuben and Schuyler counties.
As of February, enrolled Republicans comprised 209,390 of the voters in the district as compared to 144,342 for Democrats. There were 14,821 Conservatives, 2,837 Working Families Party members, 19,318 for other parties, and 132,176 blank or unaffiliated with any political party.
Gies said, “What I’m really offering is a chance to reclaim the common good, to restart a conversation about the things that we all want for each other and for our communities, in terms of good jobs, education, housing and healthcare. Those things aren’t red or blue things — they’re common values — and when we turn politics into theater all of that gets lost.”
Gies said the campaigns have already committed to two debates, one in Elmira and one in Chautauqua County. The Olean Star has offered to sponsor a primary debate in Olean as well.
Stocker said in an interview earlier this week that he got involved in the race for Congress “because I believe the 23rd can be flipped. I believe a blue wave is coming,” thanks to President Trump’s ratings tanking because of his unpopular policies.
“I publicly denounced Donald Trump in 2016 and I’ve taken on Nick Langworthy back to 2014,” Stocker said. “I’ve got a long track record of fighting corruption.”
Stocker said his campaign team is beginning to put its strategy for the primary together. For one, he plans to continue conducting town halls. He records them and posts them on his website
“There’s so much at stake in saving America and hard-working families,” Stocker said.
