One group of Democrats is taking its own survey of the seven Democratic candidates seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. Tom Reed this fall.
The New NY 23 announced the survey on its website, where it was shared on other social media.
The survey, which includes brief information from the candidates on a variety of issues, closes Thursday. It can be found at newny23rd.com/2018/02/04/ny-23-democratic-candidate-poll.
The poll is yet another way to try to gauge support for several candidates seeking to take on Reed, R-Corning, who is seeking a fourth term in Congress.
At a straw poll Sept. 30 in Randolph, sponsored by the Democratic committee chairmen in Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua counties, Ithaca businessman Ian Golden placed first, with Jamestown lawyer Eddie Sundquist placing second.
Tracy Mitrano, a former university administrator and Yates County cybersecurity expert, won another straw poll on the eastern end of the sprawling, 11-county 23rd Congressional District.
Last month, Sundquist picked up back-to-back endorsements from the Chautauqua County and Cattaraugus County Democratic committees.
The four other Democrats still in the primary hunt are Linda Andrei, a retired cardiologist from Tompkins County; Max Della Pia, a retired Air Force officer, attorney and congressional aide from Tioga County; Rick Gallant, a Corning teacher and union activist; and Charles Whalen, an Ontario County business consultant.
Last week, Andrei, the last candidate to enter the race, who only began fundraising in December, reported more than $131,000 in her campaign accounts. That is more than any other candidate and was meant to impress other potential donors. It includes $100,000 she loaned to her own campaign.
There are two independent candidates: James Clasby, a self-employed U.S. Navy veteran in Tompkins County, and John Hertzler of Tompkins County, where he is a town of Ulysses councilman and actor. Neither have filed financial reports with the Federal Election Commission.
Some Democrats in the region have said the unusually large number of candidates in the primary is hampering fundraising as potential donors look for a breakout candidate or candidates.
The New NY 23 poll is being undertaken by “A group of engaged and concerned citizens of the NY-23rd Congressional District.”
The candidates will begin circulating nominating petitions for Congress in early April. The primary is in June, with the winner running against Reed in November.
The last Democrat to hold the 23rd seat is Eric Massa, who served from January 2009 to March 2010, when he resigned during a pending House Ethics Commission into allegations of sexual misconduct involving two male staffers.
Massa, a retired U.S. Navy officer, unseated former Republican Congressman Randy Kuhl in the November 2008 election.
(Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @RMillerOTH)