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Chautauqua County Democrats endorse Sundquist for Congress

Eddie Sundquist

A hometown congressional candidate has received the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee endorsement with 59 percent of the vote.

The committee endorsed Eddie Sundquist, 23rd Congressional District candidate, on Saturday. Tracy Mitrano of Penn Yann and Max Dell Pia of Owego were second and third runner-ups, respectively in the nomination process. Also nominated were Linda Andrei, Ithaca; Rick Gallant, Corning; Ian Golden, Ithaca; and Charles Whalen, Geneva.

Sundquist said he is humbled and honored by the endorsement. He grew up in Jamestown and has returned to the area, looking to bring change and improvement to the district.

“There are eight people running, and they believe I’m able to unify the party,” Sundquist said.

Prior to running for Congress, Sundquist was a teacher and is currently an attorney. Sundquist said those skills and experience from the positions will help him as a Congressman because they are positions that focus on helping others. Sundquist said as a public servant, he is intent on helping people.

With the upcoming election, he said this is a chance to “change the face of the district.” He said he looks forward to unifying the party behind his campaign and move forward to take on U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, in November.

“It was a great process with over 100 participants,” said Norm Green, Chautauqua County Democratic Committee chairman. “Our committee is now honor bound to continue to work for Eddie up to the primary. Following the primary, we will abide by the voice for the voters and we will be working (so) that Eddie will be that choice.”

The endorsement will bring the support of the committee throughout the campaign and will also provide the committee’s help in getting petitions completed. Sundquist said out of the 11 counties in the district, only Chautauqua and Cattaraugus county committees are endorsing candidates. Cattaraugus County will endorse a candidate this coming Saturday.

Sundquist said Cattaraugus County is also “near to his heart.”

“I understand what it is like to be left behind as a county year after year,” Sundquist said. “That’s Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.”

Sundquist said the endorsement comes just after the release of his jobs plan, which he said will help revitalize the area’s economy and bring people back to the area.

The plan focuses on investing in infrastructure through a creation of a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank and investing $40 billion in rural broadband expansion. The plan also hopes to invest in people through training and education with free and accessible community college, free public four-year colleges for those who meet certain qualifications and incentive programs for those who will enter certain professions such as teaching in rural areas. The plan also suggests increasing spending in proven technical training programs for skilled jobs.

Sundquist also proposes creating a relief fund for parts of the country impacted by the recession with grants for renewable energy developments as well as to pass a 25-year moratorium on ending tax credits for solar and wind development.

“We’re the only candidate that has a comprehensive plan to revitalize our area,” he said.

For more information, visit www.eddiesundquist.com.

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