Mayor Gary Herzig Endorses

Jeff Beals For NY-19 Primary

ONEONTA – Citing a “bold progressive agenda,” Mayor Gary Herzig has endorsed candidate Jeff Beals for Congress in the June 26 Democratic primary in the 19th Congressional District, the first and only endorsement by a city mayor in the race.

“Jeff Beals is the tough, experienced progressive we need to take on John Faso in the fall,” Herzig declared. “He stands out in this race with a bold progressive agenda and the government background to make change happen.  He will win this race, and I stand with him and the movement he has built to change life here for the better.”

Beals met with Herzig at City Hall to discuss an array of initiatives they aim to promote in concert after the election. Herzig, who has led the city with a downtown revitalization initiative, agreed with Beals on the need for major investment in sustainable energy and affordable housing.

“Oneonta is a jewel in our district and Mayor Herzig is the kind of leader I know I can work with to put forward bold progressive solutions to the challenges of our time, “ Beals said.  “We need to take action now so the thousands of young people graduating find the work to build lives for themselves here. We need to pass a Green New Deal to build a sustainable energy infrastructure and put people to work. We need to enact Medicare for All to lift this terrible burden from our citizens. We need to increase social security benefits for our seniors and put a stop to endless war overseas. I spent my career in government working for positive change and teach it to my students. Now we’re going to make it happen in Washington.”

Oneonta is the second largest city in the 19th Congressional District, with a population of approximately 14,000 residents.
Herzig’s endorsement complements endorsements Beals has already received from progressive groups across the district and nationally, including the People for Bernie, Hudson Valley People for Bernie and Justice Democrats, organizations that supported the Bernie Sanders campaign. Beals is running a grassroots campaign that turns down Corporate PAC money and advocates a bold progressive agenda blazed on its signs around the district with the words, “Fight Corporate Power.”

Beals will join candidates Bryan Flynn, Erin Collier, Pat Ryan, Gareth Rhodes, Dave Clegg and Antonio Delgado at a congressional candidates debate tonight at 7 p.m in the auditorium at the Cooperstown High School. The event will be live-streamed on the Allotsego.com Facebook page.