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JAMESTOWN -- Aaron Gies, Democratic candidate for Congress in New York's 23rd Congressional District, kicked off his districtwide 100 town hall tour in Jamestown on Thursday evening, drawing more than 125 residents to Prendergast Library, where it was standing room only.
The strong turnout brought together residents from across Jamestown and the surrounding communities to hear directly from Gies, ask questions, and discuss the issues facing working families across the Southern Tier and Western New York.
"This is what democracy is supposed to look like," said Aaron Gies. "People coming together, asking tough questions, sharing their experiences, and expecting their representatives to actually listen. I am running for Congress because I believe every person in this district deserves to have a representative who shows up, listens, and works with them to make a good life affordable."
The Jamestown town hall marks the beginning of Gies' town hall tour, which will take him to communities throughout NY-23. The district stretches roughly 230 miles from the Pennsylvania border to the Southern Tier and approximately 100 miles from South Lockport to the Pennsylvania border.
Gies said the purpose of the tour is simple: to listen to residents directly and make sure the campaign is grounded in the experiences of the people who live and work in the district.
"For too long, people have been told that politics is something that happens to them instead of something they get to participate in," Gies said. "I want to change that. Whether you live in Jamestown, Olean, Elmira, Corning, or one of the many rural communities in between, your voice matters. Your concerns matter. And you deserve to be heard."
Throughout the town hall, residents raised questions about affordability, AI, healthcare, housing, education, the future of rural communities, and the challenges facing working families.
The event also reinforced one of the central themes of Gies' campaign: making a good life affordable for everyone.
"More than 125 people showed up because they want a government that works for them," Gies said. "They want to know that their kids will have opportunities here, that they can afford to see a doctor, that they can find good work, and that they can retire with dignity. Those aren’t partisan concerns. They are the concerns of our neighbors, and they are exactly what I intend to fight for in Congress."
Gies will continue the town hall tour in communities throughout NY 23 in the coming weeks and announce those on social media and the campaign website, aaronforny23.com.