Congressional candidate Nate McMurray addresses a room of voters at a community town hall event in Rush on Saturday, September 29. Photo by Jennifer Crowley
BY JENNIFER CROWLEY
Nate McMurray, the Democratic candidate hoping to unseat Republican congressman Chris Collins in the 27th Congressional District of New York, came to Rush Saturday morning for a town hall event. More than 100 voters from the towns of Rush, Mendon, Wheatland, Lima and Honeoye Falls were in attendance. The event was co-sponsored by town Democrats in Mendon, Rush, and Wheatland though was open to all.
McMurray took the microphone after being introduced by Barbara Baer, the Democratic candidate running locally to represent the 133rd assembly (comprised of towns south of Rochester down through Hornell). Before addressing questions submitted by audience members, the candidate took the opportunity to talk about the direction of his campaign. “We’ve been through a lot since the early days. There were times I’d drive to distant events and have two people show up. I remember asking to debate my opponent Chris Collins who would tell me to go home and that I was a nobody, that I didn’t belong,” he shared with the crowd.
McMurray addressed the room about topics he feels strongly about including protecting the vast natural resources of Western New York (particularly the fresh water of the great lakes), improving educational standards for more engaged civic participation, and fair healthcare for all. He also stated that the outcome about this race is much more significant than it may seem on the surface. “It is time to restore integrity for the 27th district. We are in a near state of emergency right now. If this isn’t a crisis moment, what is? We need to grab hold of this country again, at least what is left of it. We need to fight hard and finish strong,” he told the room.
McMurray shared that the idea of being “a finisher” was ingrained in him by his mother. She single-handedly raised seven children after the untimely death of her husband when Nate was a small child. He explained how his mother expected her children to follow through with whatever they started. “This is a much bigger movement than myself,” he reiterated as he compelled the audience to help get the vote out. “I only won the Town Supervisor race by two votes,” he reminded the audience to illustrate why every vote counts.
One resident of Honeoye Falls, Laura Kammermeier, shared why she was at the event. “We simply cannot have a criminal represent us. Just because someone is part of your tribe doesn’t mean she or he deserves sympathy especially in the form of a vote.” She was referring to a controversial late summer federal indictment of Collins for alleged insider trading and lying to the FBI, which he denies.
Through his attorneys, he says he will “mount a vigorous defense to clear his good name, noting that even the government does not allege that he traded s single share of stock in Innate Therapeutics.
As for the incumbent Collins, he announced that he is remaining on the ballot despite indicating in August that he was withdrawing from the campaign given his legal challenges. With less than 40 days to go until Election Day, McMurray remains hopeful that Collins will agree to a debate, though the request has been denied thus far.
The McMurray campaign which was once a pure grassroots effort has been experiencing increasing momentum across the 27th in large part due to the candidate’s nonstop meet and greets. And the approach seems to be working.
As of press time, political website Real Clear Politics has labeled the race as leaning Republican,.
Through the event McMurray referred to himself as a willing standard-bearer for the constituents of the 27th. “If elected I will continue to carry the standard for you in Washington, DC. That is my promise to all of you.”
