Gies holds last town hall in Cattaraugus County before Tuesday’s midterm election

By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
ALLEGANY — Democrat Aaron Gies held his last town meeting in Cattaraugus County before the election on Wednesday to an audience of about 100 at The Hall in Allegany.
Gies has been on a quest to hold 100 town hall meetings across the 23rd Congressional District before the election.  
After describing his childhood in North Carolina, the son of a drywall installer father and a school secretary mother, Gies said his family landed in the Olean area several years ago when he got his dream job as a theology professor at St. Bonaventure University.
He said his parents taught him “to treat other people as I want to be treated.”
He’s been running for Congress since July 2025.
On Wednesday, he criticized President Trump enriching himself to the tune of $7.7 billion over the course of his presidency. “It’s corruption. It’s stealing. They are stealing from us.” The president should be fixing roads, water systems and Social Security, Gies said.
Instead, he has added $4.5 trillion to the national debt with the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” to “pay for a tax cut for the richest people in the world,” and $1 trillion in cuts to healthcare for the poor, Gies said. 
“Our congressman serves the president,” Gies said. “You deserve a president who represents you.” Langworthy’s rich donors include the oil and gas industry, pharmaceutical and insurance companies and nursing homes.
Gies fumed over reports that Trump has politicized FEMA by refusing to provide aid in response to snow emergencies in five Northeast states run by Democrats. 
The focus of a good leader should focus on a good life affordable to everyone, Gies said. Every family should have a doctor, safe neighborhoods and good schools. “This district deserves to thrive,” he said. “Cattaraugus County deserves to thrive. That’s what I will fight for in Washington.”
One woman asked Gies what can be done to create jobs in Western New York. She also said she didn’t like President Trump trying to change Social Security to a benefit.
Gies said Cattaraugus and Allegany counties are among the poorest in the state. There are investments the federal government should be making here — investments in infrastructure small municipalities cannot afford to pay for on their own. 
With climate change impacts in the Southeast and Southwest, the Southern Tier and Western New York will become a destination for business and people because “we have the water,” Gies said. “We need big investments in water and sewer.”
The Democrat suggested the rails across the Southern Tier could again provide transportation between cities.
From the cuts to healthcare in the Big Ugly Bill supported by Republicans, “we could lose eight of 12 hospitals” in the 23rd Congressional District.
On preserving Social Security, Gies noted that without a fix by 2032, Social Security payments could be reduced by 20% to 30%. “That’s not acceptable,” he said, adding Congress needs to act by eliminating the $185,000 cap on Social Security taxes. “Social Security will be good for another century” if that is enacted.
In response to a question from a senior in high school about declining student aid for higher education, Gies replied he is right to worry about the Trump administration “monkeying around” with aid programs and repayment. “They are wrecking it on purpose and  want to privatize it,” he warned. We need to find ways to make college more affordable,” Gies said, adding he favors free tuition to trade schools and community colleges.
One woman said she was concerned with actions Trump has taken to interfere with the midterm elections. “We have to protect the right to vote for every American,” he said. “I am more concerned with what happens after the election,” noting Speaker Mike Johnson is talking about not certifying certain races across the country. “If the margin of victory is large, that falls flat.”
Would Gies support eliminating the state and federal gas taxes until the cost of gas and diesel fuel come down? One woman asked. Gies replied that it would mean no money would be available for road building and maintenance. What he said he would support that would bring down energy costs is a war powers resolution to end the war in Iran. Gies said that during their only debate, Nick Langworthy “agreed the war was driving up costs, but you don’t tie the hands of the president.”
What about bipartisanship? one man asked. Gies said there used to be areas of agreement between the two parties. To return to that kind of politics, “the president and the Cabinet broke laws and need to be held accountable. “Pete Hegseth is at the top of my list.” Congressional investigations and hearings will provide a deterrent in the future. 
He also called for getting dark money out of politics by identifying all donors, barring stock trading by members of Congress and the Executive branch. “We need to make it impossible for anyone to get rich working for the federal government.”
Gies said he favors term limits for those serving on the Supreme Court, and possible age limits for members of Congress. He also favors expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court.
What about Trump’s tariffs, a woman asked? Gies replied that the tariffs have damaged the country’s diplomatic relations around the world — including our allies, like Canada. “The tariffs are illegal,” Gies said. “The next Congress should vote to revoke the tariffs on day 1.” They hurt small businesses and have cost American families an average $1,700 this year.
Toward the end of the town hall, one woman asked Gies for his thoughts on Gaza and a two-state solution involving Israel and the West Bank.
He called the actions of the Israeli army and air force in Gaza genocide. More than 70,000 Palestinians have died in three years since Hamas killed more than 1,200 Jews. 
“I love the Jewish people, “Gies said.”I am not anti-Semetic.” He went on to say he wants to retain Israel as an ally to the U.S., but added: “We have to be tough on Israel. No more blank checks.”