The Spectrum's Congressional Endorsements

When you enter the voting booth on Nov. 2 you may be surprised to find names besides John Kerry and George Bush on the ballot. Several congressional districts are up for grabs in the Buffalo region. Retiring Republican Jack Quinn has left an open seat in the 27th district, where Democrat Brian Higgins is competing against Republican Nancy Naples. In the 26th district, Republican incumbent Tom Reynolds is facing Jack Davis. Louise Slaughter, the Democratic incumbent in the 28th district, is running for re-election against Republican Michael Laba. Louise Slaughter is so heavily favored to win that The Spectrum has decided to focus our attention on the other two races.

Brian Higgins (D) vs. Nancy Naples (R)
Our choice: Higgins

The Higgins-Naples race has heated up as both national parties have taken an active interest in its outcome. Higgins has spent in the last six years in the State Assembly, where he brought significant funding to Buffalo waterfront development projects including the opening of the new Outer Harbor State Park.

Nancy Naples is no less accomplished. She was elected Erie County comptroller 11 years ago after holding several prominent business executive positions at AT&T, Chemical Bank and Merrill Lynch and Company, among others.

The Spectrum feels that Brian Higgins is the best choice to represent Western New York in Congress. Higgins has a strong legislative background, has the union support that proves he is a champion of the working class, and has shown his willingness to stand up for what is right even when it is unpopular. New York's state assembly is known for its epic gridlock, with a budget that has not been passed on time in 20 years. As a freshman assemblyman, Higgins joined with 64 other members to vote on changing the inept leadership. Facing intimidation from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver the coalition dropped down to 12 but Higgins held on. Eventually because of his stance he was reapportioned into an unfriendly district to face re-election.

Electing Republican Nancy Naples would give WNY more of the same ills it has suffered under the current GOP Congress: deficits, job loss and a lack of accountability. Erie County Executive Joel Giambra is planning on drastic cuts in services and positions to deal with Erie County's projected $130 million deficit for next year. This deficit occurred while Naples was serving as Erie County's chief financial officer. Naples also signed off on Giambra's questionable financial dealings, later investigated by New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer. Naples' campaign has received funding from a political action committee whose members were indicted for money laundering and accepting illegal contributions. When confronted with this, Naples refused to return the funds. The totality of these factors shows Naples to be less than forthcoming and not the best choice to represent this area at a critical time.

Jack Davis (D) vs. Tom Reynolds (R
Our choice: Neither candidate

Three-term representative Republican Tom Reynolds is running for re-election. Reynolds chairs two powerful committees and works closely with congressional leaders to shape the Republican legislative agenda. Reynolds has most often used his power to promote the Republican Party instead of representing his district. Reynolds is one of George W. Bush's best fundraisers and thus supports Bush's disastrous policies that have gouged the WNY community with deficits and the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs. Reynolds, like Naples, would be more of the same.

But Democratic challenger Jack Davis is no prize candidate. A longtime Republican businessman until recently - he gave $2,000 to Reynolds only months before he decided to run against him - Davis is a self-funded candidate running on a platform of ending free trade agreements in favor of a balanced trade approach, which he feels will protect WNY jobs. But Davis offers little in other policy objectives. This is his main failing. Our region also suffers from a lot of problems Davis has not addressed, such as increases in education costs, high numbers of citizens without health insurance, and the deterioration of public services.

Left no attractive candidate, The Spectrum will refrain from endorsing a candidate in this district. It is all but assured that Reynolds will win given his coveted incumbent status. If one chooses to vote for him, be sure to use your voice as a constituent to demand that he use his influential position to advocate this region's interests instead of the Republican Party's interests.

On Monday, The Spectrum will run endorsements for the presidential campaign.