AllOtsego Cited in National Publication

NEW YORK—Reporting by AllOtsego was recently cited in a national publication, underscoring the importance of local journalism. On October 17, Politico cited AllOtsego’s reporting in its New York Playbook edition. “NY Young Republicans in Hateful Group Chat were at Oberacker Congressional Launch” read the title of AllOtsego’s same-day article by Staff Writer Eric Santomauro-Stenzel which heavily featured his photos.

The story covered the presence and involvement of two Young Republicans at State Senator Peter Oberacker’s congressional campaign launch in Schenevus who participated in a hateful group chat. Politico’s original October 14 investigation, “‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat,” included messages from Cooperstown-raised Bobby Walker, who was set to become Oberacker’s campaign manager until the messages came to light.

When on October 16 AllOtsego contacted the Oberacker campaign about Walker’s organizational role at the event and another chat participant’s presence, Peter Giunta of Staten Island, the campaign said Walker was present only as a volunteer and that they had cut ties with him. For the first time, the campaign publicly called on all involved in the chat to resign GOP positions.

The state Republican Party has since disbanded the New York State Young Republicans. Walker and Giunta have both apologized for the messages and said they were concerned images of the chat were potentially doctored.

“Schenevus only has around 500 residents, and if not for local journalists on the ground, this important story likely wouldn’t have been reported,” said Santomauro-Stenzel. “In a contentious national environment, it’s our responsibility to connect the dots to and from our own communities, making the issues of the day less abstract and more human.”

AllOtsego welcomes news tips to that end from anyone with interest in the Otsego County area, regardless of political persuasion or subject of story.

“Now that we have boots on the ground, so to speak, our readers can look forward to expanded local coverage on all fronts,” said AllOtsego General Manager and Senior Editor Darla M. Youngs. “Eric is a thoughtful, dedicated journalist, and he is just getting started. We are glad to have him on board.”