Despite all the national political talk of a “blue wave” sweeping Democrats into office, Cattaraugus County political leaders are predicting a close race in the 23rd Congressional District.
The race between Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, and his Democratic challenger Tracy Mitrano of Penn Yan appears to have benefitted from an increased interest by voters.
“There’s no doubt that Cattaraugus County will go for the Republican,” GOP Chairman Robert Keis Sr. said Friday. “Tom will definitely carry Cattaraugus County. I think it will be closer than I would like. She’s serious. This is a hard-fought election.”
Keis said Mitrano “has deep Democratic support in the Ithaca area. As long as Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua counties go heavily for Tom, we can carry him through.”
Keis, who attended Thursday’s congressional debate at Olean High School sponsored by the Olean Times Herald and the League of Women Voters of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties, said it was “a good, spirited debate.”
A lot of congressional and Senate races “will be a referendum on President Trump — on how people feel about what Trump has done and the economy and protecting our borders,” Keis said.
“I do not see a blue wave whatsoever,” Keis said. “People are going to be surprised. We’re going to pick up six to seven seats in the (U.S.) Senate and I think we have a really good chance at holding control of the House, where we will lose some seats.”
Cattaraugus County Democratic Party Chairman Frank Puglisi, who also attended Thursday’s congressional debate, agreed the contest between Reed and Mitrano was going to be close — not only in this county, but across the 11-county district.
“It’s going to come down to turnout,” Puglisi said. “Each side will be working hard to get out the vote.”
The county Democratic committee’s main focus are on local races, especially the District 4 County Legislature contest between Republican Norman Marsh of Little Valley and Democrat John Hale of Randolph, Puglisi said. The party is giving rides to the polls in that district.
“We encourage support for the entire Democratic ticket from the governor on down,” Puglisi said.
“I think this will be a close race, not just in this county, but across the 23rd District,” he added. “There’s a lot of voter involvement and enthusiasm to come out and vote. People want their voice to be heard.”
Puglisi said he believes all signs point toward Democrats taking control of the House in Tuesday’s election and hold on to their seats in the Senate.
“The ‘blue wave’ talk is real,” he said.
