http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20140924/NEWS03/140929458#.VCKsyMgMTI4.twitterby Daniel Flatley
September 24, 2014
Aaron G. Woolf has had a difficult summer.
After avoiding the kind of bruising primary that depleted the campaign coffers of his Republican opponent, the Democratic candidate in the 21st Congressional District has endured attacks from spurned members of his own party as well as a ceaseless drumbeat of bad press related to his Brooklyn grocery store and restaurant — reports on which the opposition has capitalized.
And his efforts to take the fight to his Republican opponent, Elise M. Stefanik, have gained little traction as she has either ignored his attacks or deflected them by saying she agrees with some his positions — including raising the minimum wage and ensuring paycheck equality for women — with minor adjustments.
The trying season has translated into disappointing poll numbers, with a WWNY-TV/Siena College poll showing Mr. Woolf, a Democrat, trailing Ms. Stefanik by 13 points. And on Tuesday, Roll Call reported that House Majority PAC, a Democratic political action committee, has canceled $300,000 worth of advertising time in the district.
But on Tuesday, in an interview at Times offices, Mr. Woolf was upbeat, shrugging off the blows of the past weeks and talking about why he still feels he is the best choice for the district.
(full interview at link)
Fuller's note:
This is the seat originally held by outgoing Congressman Bill Owens, a Democrat, and has been subject to frequent and chaotic fights since 2009 (that's Doug Hoffman's district). At this point, Stefanik (who despite her age is a dyed-in-the-wool GOPe'er) is almost certain to make this one a GOP pickup.
