By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
ELLICOTTVILLE — Cattaraugus County Democrats got a close look at the two candidates who will vie in a primary against Rep.Nick Langworthy, R-Niagara County.
They are on track for a June 26 Democratic primary to face Rep. Nick Langworthy in November 2026.
Aaron Gies a St. Bonaventure University assistant professor of Theology and Franciscan Studies from Olean and Tonawanda attorney Kevin Stocker spoke to about 100 people attending the Democratic Committee’s Democracy in Action Dinner.
Cattaraugus County Democratic Party Chairwoman Mandy Bushnell also welcomed to the dinner at HoliMont state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Patrick Purcell, executive director of the NYS Laborers-Employers Cooperative and Trust labor-management group.
Gies, who like Stocker is a former Republican, told the group of Democrats that a winning strategy in the 23rd Congressional District includes a “strong Democratic turnout,” support from “reasonable Republicans” and “winning over independents” by emphasizing the common good.
Gies said reasonable people want “our kids growing up healthy and prosperous, for people in this district to be able to afford a good life, for the best health care if we get sick, for clean air, clean water, deep topsoil and for our leaders to be ethical and accountable. These aren’t partisan issues. They’re not controversial.”
Good faith conversations with those who we disagree with can open minds if not change them. Building relationships and building trust are the driving force of his campaign. “By talking with each other again, exploring what we share, what we want for each other as humans, our campaign will orchestrate these common good conversations to open minds, develop trust, and when good will emerges to nurture it, that’s the common good and it belongs to all of us,” Gies said.
“Some of you are thinking I want a fighter. We need a fighter. And I hear you. I want to fight too. But here’s the reality, if we want to fight with vitriol and rage, we’ll turn away those independents and we’ll fail,” he said.
“The teeth in this campaign are facts. We will expose every omission by the current congressman, Langworthy. We will show he puts power over people, fealty over keeping faith with facts. His decisions are harming the people of the 23rd here, said Gies.
“I ask you to elect me because I will serve you faithfully, not as a career politician, but for the sake of the Republic , not as a means of personal enrichment or lifelong status.”
Neither Gies or Stocker mentioned the other Democrat, concentrating instead on how they would approach Langworthy.
Stocker, who has previously run for the Assembly and State Senate as a Republican, told those at the dinner that he had already begun “barn storming the district,” engaging with voters, going door-to-door to meet voters and holding about 20 town halls lasting up to three hours.
People are expressing concerns over restricting women’s rights and billionaires’ efforts to cut social programs and threaten democracy. He said, “I don’t recognize this country. I look forward to turning this district blue.I will be aggressive. I will drop the gloves.” He quoted Bruce Springsteen, saying there will be “No retreat, no surrender.”
Stocker said, “We’re in a war right now. Billionaires that want their tax breaks and they want to cut your Social Security, your Medicaid, your Medicare, veterans benefits, public health and public education. They are taking on the Constitution, our democracy, the civil rights of everyone in this country.I have had the opportunity to take on Nick Langworthy before when he was head of the party.”
In his remarks, Purcell, the labor organizer, said, “There’s no reason we (Democrats) don’t take back the House.You’ve got to get the word out that this is the election of all elections.”
Poloncarz, the four-term Erie County executive, said the demographic data of the 23rd District “is not in our favor.” He urged those attending “to take back democracy by fighting everywhere. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, not their own facts. You need to sell your story. If we just attack Donald Trump, we won’t win. They (voters) need to know who you are and why you are a Democrat.”
DiNapoli also emphasized the importance of Democratic values including the economy and healthcare. New York Democrats have helped bring down the number of uninsured individuals to about 5%, while nationally, Republicans are cutting healthcare and nutrition programs.
The comptroller said the difference “is really about values. It’s about what we stand for.”
With the Republicans in charge of the House, Senate and White House, you’ve seen “massive cuts in healthcare to the Medicaid program, massive cuts to nutrition from the SNAP program, what we used to call good stamps,” DiNapoli said.
While there were some breaks for working people for tips and overtime, DiNapoli pointed out, “Those are only temporary. They only last a couple of years, but those tax cuts for the wealthiest were made permanent.” A similar increase in the SALT (state and local taxes) “gives us a little break in the short run,” but is also temporary.
DiNapoli also noted the ticket to higher office is often through local offices — town, village, city and county offices. He also said he was glad to see the number of Democratic candidates on local ballots in the county this November.
