44°
MOUNT KISCO, N.Y.-- The Democrats want to take back the 19th Congressional District. The five Democratic contenders going up against Republican incumbent Nan Hayworth (R-Bedford) participated in a public forum Tuesday night. A crowd gathered at the Mount Kisco American Legion hall to hear the candidates lay out their plans to unseat Hayworth in November's election.
Candidate Duane Jackson, an 18-year Buchanan resident who gained national attention when he alerted authorities to the Times Square bomber, said when Hayworth was elected in 2010, Democrats failed to energize their base.
We keep electing the same people and expecting different results, he said. Jackson, who also is a Vietnam War veteran, described his as a grassroots candidacy, one designed to marshal our troops to take back the Hudson Valley.
Current Tuxedo Park Mayor Tom Wilson echoed Jackson's desire to take the district in another direction, focusing his sights on economic recovery in the area. The candidate alluded to the Occupy Main Street event going on simultaneously at the Mount Kisco Public Library, an event that was organized to find creative solutions to reinvigorate the business district in town.
Wilson said, I want you all to think of me as the candidate here tonight who will help occupy Main Street all throughout the district to renew small businesses and economic growth." He said he would support a tax rate of 0 percent for small businesses that have net revenues below $350,000.
I got involved in this race because Nan Hayworth clearly did not care about everyone here in this district, said Wilson, stating Hayworth initially wanted to withhold federal aid after Hurricane Irene on the condition the money be offset with other federal budget cuts.
The other three candidates participating in the event, which was sponsored by the Northern Westchester Democratic Town, Village, and City Committees, were Matt Alexander, CPA and mayor of Wappingers Falls, registered nurse Anne Jacobs-Moultrie, of Highland Mills, and Dr. Richard Becker, cardiologist and Cortlandt Town Council member.
This was the second in a series of events where the candidates introduced themselves to residents if the district. To see more from the first event, go to http://www.thedailypeekskill.com/news/hayworths-challengers-introduce-themselves
Click here to follow Daily Voice Mt. Kisco and receive free news updates.
