I happen to be in NY-26 today visiting family in my hometown. Look below the fold for some interesting observations about what is going on here from my front row seat, and what it might portend for today's election results.
NY-26 elects a new member of the House of Representatives today, courtesy of the sexual perversions of yet another Republican politician. I was born and raised in Genesee County, in the heart of the district. I moved away long ago due to the lack of jobs, but have stayed in touch with the place. Today I happen to be here visiting family.
First, a little history. Although we are technically in New York State, rural Western New York looks like, acts like, talks like, and votes like rural Michigan or Wisconsin. Both my parents grew up on dairy farms...need I say more. This is one of the reddest areas of this blue state. I can attest to that because I worked my buns off for Jimmy Carter here in 1976, and he still lost my home county by 12%.
Observations from my front row seat for today's elections:
1. Ms. Hochul will be getting at least 4 votes courtesy of my family members.
2. Majority of signs in rural areas are for Corwin. Majority of signs in towns are for Hochul. No surprise.
3. The Republican campaign ads, particularly those funded by 3rd parties, have gotten particularly nasty. One accuses Hochul of raising taxes dozens of times, that she will do so again if elected, and that it will kill local jobs. Another shows scary pictures of Hochul and Nancy Pelosi...you can guess how the rest of it goes. Even more bizarrre, there is a commercial linking Tea Bagger candidate Davis to Nancy Pelosi! Talk about politics making for strange bedfellows...
4. The Democratic ads aren't very nice either. One calls out Corwin for her support of slashing Medicare, and calls it a "sham and a scam." True, but still fear mongering.
5. The locals are befuddled by all the national interest, are sick of the robocalls (although my folks were tickled to get one from Bill Clinton), disgusted with how the campaign has been run, and will be relieved when it is all over. As my brother correctly pointed out, "This election is not about the extremes of the left and right, but about the people in the middle who go to work everyday and are trying to raise their kids. We need to send the extremists a message." Couldn't have said it better myself. He and his wife, registered independents, are voting for Hochul.
6. My favorite observation: A woman in a suburban precinct was interviewed by a TV news crew after voting. "I'm a Republican, but I do not support turning Medicare into a voucher system. That is why I voted Democratic today." I hope the rest of the district shares her thoughts.
My prediction: Hochul in a squeeker.