WNYT.com
July 18, 2008
By Jim Kambrich
ALBANY - A meet the candidates night was held Thursday at the Albany Jewish Community Center. Residents got a chance to hear from the candidates running for Rep. Mike McNulty's seat in the 21st Congressional District.
The candidates night covered a wide range of topics, from the war in Iraq, to the economy, to energy.
Democratic candidates Tracy Brooks and Paul Tonko talked about their experience.
"I also had the opportunity to work with Senator Clinton as her regional director in this entire district and in that I've worked side by side with Congressman Mike McNulty and his staff," Brooks said.
"I believe I can do that based on experience, life experience, constituent experience, legislative experience, and administrative experience. All of them are important," Tonko said.
Candidates Jim Buhrmaster and Steve Vasquez said their experience as businessmen make them the best candidate.
"What we need in Washington today is somebody who is new and different who will bring a business perspective to Washington, not a career politician," Buhrmaster said.
"As an entrepreneur, I get a great deal done with little resources. As opposed to our government which gets very little done with a lot of resources and I'm gonna change that," Vasquez said.
But Democratic candidate Darius Shahinfar said his background in politics gives him the edge, having worked for Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand and John Kerry's campaigns.
"I've worked in the system but I'm not of the system and that's the person we need to send down to Washington to effectuate that change that we really need," Shahinfar said.
Candidate Phil Steck said state and federal government needs to separate from lobbyists and the next congressman needs to remember politics is always local. Other candidates agreed.
"We need someone in this position who is community based in their political involvement and that is what I believe my experience shows," Steck said.
Candidate Joe Sullivan concentrated on Iraq and said America needs to keep a military presence there.
"If that oil dries up or is interrupted our economy dries up, our way of life goes and the nation can fall. The troops aren't coming home,get over it," Sullivan said.
The Democratic and Republican primaries will be held September 9th.
