Congressional District 23 during the Republican primary was among the most volatile of all the recent races. During the summer, both Carl Paladino and Nick Langworthy forced a division of the party.

Paladino was overly radical with no discipline when it came to making outlandish and offensive statements. The other, Langworthy, sneaked into the race after incumbent Chris Jacobs bowed out while also running the state party’s operations.

In the end, Langworthy’s rural ties helped him edge Paladino — who carried Erie County — in August.

Will the Southern Tier be just as hospitable this November when Langworthy, a county native, takes on Democrat Max Della Pia?

On numbers alone, this is Langworthy’s race to lose as Republican voters dominate the landscape. Former Rep. Tom Reed, who resigned the seat in May, was able take advantage of that fact while walking a bit of a tightrope. While he was often criticized for being too far to the right, Reed did a lot of things down the middle.

We’re not sure Langworthy is built the same way. In his job as state party chair, he often goes overboard in his criticism of how Albany and Democrats operate. With that type of attitude, it is tough to find common ground.

Della Pia, on the other hand, is one of the most unique candidates running this election year. He’s so unpolished, he rarely gives the company line. In fact, listening to Della Pia over the last five months, there is a sense if he is elected, he could work both sides of the aisle.

Throughout his campaign — against current U.S. Rep. Joe Sempolinski in the summer and the current edition — he’s been a candidate who wants to get things done, not add to gridlock. Consider his beliefs in regard to gun control. “As a veteran I believe in the value of the Second Amendment,” he said. “However, with gun rights should come great responsibility and common-sense gun policy.”

Langworthy’s campaign is just the opposite. Even on his placards and lawn signs, his call is to “Stop Biden and Pelosi.” For the record, that’s the job of voters — who also will make the decision regarding who our next representative is for Congress.

History — even in this newly restructured district that includes the suburbs of Erie County — is on the Republicans’ side in this race. Della Pia may be more middle ground. But Langworthy better reflects who this district is.