Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who has represented New York’s 21st Congressional District since 2015, is campaigning for a sixth term as she faces a challenge from Democrat Paula Collins, a 61-year-old attorney and former educator from New York City.Collins, a newcomer to the political arena, believes it’s time for a change in leadership for the district.“Every election we say is the most important in our lifetime. But this one really is,” said Stefanik, emphasizing the stakes of the upcoming election. Alongside her congressional duties, Stefanik has been an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump’s bid for the White House, a position that has drawn criticism from Collins.“Elise Stefanik took this oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution. She has not done so,” Collins said, criticizing Stefanik’s alliance with Trump.Both candidates have highlighted border security as a pressing issue, especially regarding the record-breaking crossings in the Swanton Sector.While Collins supports elements of a previous border bill that included provisions for temporary work visas, Stefanik has endorsed Trump’s border policies and criticized the Biden administration’s handling of immigration.“What I would also like to see would be a temporary work visa so that those who go through the vetting process and settle into upstate New York would be qualified to participate in the jobs market,” Collins added, outlining her vision for a solution that integrates vetted individuals into the workforce.Meanwhile, at a recent Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, Stefanik said, “The border crisis. Illegals swarming our streets, taking billions of our hard-earned taxpayer dollars. All because Kamala Harris is Joe Biden’s open border czar,” underscoring her commitment to more stringent immigration policies.Infrastructure also ranks high on both candidates’ agendas. They have each pledged to address issues with Amtrak’s Adirondack Line, a critical route linking New York City to Montreal. Collins emphasized the importance of a high-speed rail: “We are behind in our nation in terms of high-speed rail, in terms of rail that really can be relied upon to get across the state or, in our case, to get all the way from Penn Station in Manhattan, all the way up to Montreal.”Stefanik’s campaign has dismissed Collins’ bid, with senior advisor Alex DeGrasse previously saying Collins would be “crushed at the ballot box just like every other New York City Democrat candidate they have desperately imported to upstate.”Despite the dismissive remarks, Collins remains hopeful. “I am confident in my chances as a candidate. And if we don’t get through this time, the race for the midterms begins Nov. 6,” she said.NBC5 reached out to the Stefanik campaign multiple times for an interview or comment, but no response was received in time for this report.
Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who has represented New York’s 21st Congressional District since 2015, is campaigning for a sixth term as she faces a challenge from Democrat Paula Collins, a 61-year-old attorney and former educator from New York City.
Collins, a newcomer to the political arena, believes it’s time for a change in leadership for the district.
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“Every election we say is the most important in our lifetime. But this one really is,” said Stefanik, emphasizing the stakes of the upcoming election.
Alongside her congressional duties, Stefanik has been an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump’s bid for the White House, a position that has drawn criticism from Collins.
“Elise Stefanik took this oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution. She has not done so,” Collins said, criticizing Stefanik’s alliance with Trump.
Both candidates have highlighted border security as a pressing issue, especially regarding the record-breaking crossings in the Swanton Sector.
While Collins supports elements of a previous border bill that included provisions for temporary work visas, Stefanik has endorsed Trump’s border policies and criticized the Biden administration’s handling of immigration.
“What I would also like to see would be a temporary work visa so that those who go through the vetting process and settle into upstate New York would be qualified to participate in the jobs market,” Collins added, outlining her vision for a solution that integrates vetted individuals into the workforce.
Meanwhile, at a recent Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, Stefanik said, “The border crisis. Illegals swarming our streets, taking billions of our hard-earned taxpayer dollars. All because Kamala Harris is Joe Biden’s open border czar,” underscoring her commitment to more stringent immigration policies.
Infrastructure also ranks high on both candidates’ agendas. They have each pledged to address issues with Amtrak’s Adirondack Line, a critical route linking New York City to Montreal.
Collins emphasized the importance of a high-speed rail: “We are behind in our nation in terms of high-speed rail, in terms of rail that really can be relied upon to get across the state or, in our case, to get all the way from Penn Station in Manhattan, all the way up to Montreal.”
Stefanik’s campaign has dismissed Collins’ bid, with senior advisor Alex DeGrasse previously saying Collins would be “crushed at the ballot box just like every other New York City Democrat candidate they have desperately imported to upstate.”
Despite the dismissive remarks, Collins remains hopeful.
“I am confident in my chances as a candidate. And if we don’t get through this time, the race for the midterms begins Nov. 6,” she said.
NBC5 reached out to the Stefanik campaign multiple times for an interview or comment, but no response was received in time for this report.
