Local congressional race heats up as 2020 approaches

By: Nolan Cleary

Staff writer

With the 2020 Presidential election coming up, political experts continue to focus on Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election but down ballot, Democrats and Republicans have other ambitions. 

Democrats hope to reclaim a full majority in Congress, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in ten years. To do so, they have to win back three seats, causing a 50/50 tie in the Senate. 

If a Democrat becomes President, the Vice President would break that tie and give Democrats the majority. Otherwise, Democrats would need to gain at least four seats to get an outright majority. 

Republicans hope to retain the U.S. House of Representatives. After losing control last year in a brutal midterm, they are looking to pick up at least 19 seats. They see an opportunity to do so right here in the Hudson River Valley.

A year ago, one of the most closely watched U.S. House races pitted then Republican Congressman John Faso, who represented the Hudson River Valley in New York’s 19th Congressional District, against Democrat Antonio Delgado. The local raced gained national attention.

Delgado attacked Faso for a controversial vote on Obamacare while Faso attacked Delgado for vulgar songs he wrote during his days as a rapper. Ultimately, it was Delgado who came out on top. 

However, Delgado may not be out of the woods. Next year he’ll have to defend his seat once again in what is expected to be another nail-biting election. 

In 2016, Donald Trump won the 19th district by 7 points, but Barack Obama won this district both times he ran. With Donald Trump at the top of the ticket in 2020, Delgado could be in for another tough fight. 

At Hudson Valley Community College, most students predict this race to be a tossup. 

Francinel Paulino-Rodriguez, a heating and cooling major, said this race is too hard to predict, but that Republicans could have a chance under certain circumstances. 

“They might if they give people more jobs, help more people with their incomes,” Paulino-Rodriguez said.

“I feel like anything could happen,” said Tommy Mason, a history major.

Retired two star general Tony German appears to be leading the pack of conservatives hoping to take on Delgado. Fashion designer Ola Hawatmeh and Mike Roth are some of them.

These aren’t the only Republicans considering to run. State Senator Sue Serino is widely rumored to run, as is Rensselaer County Executive Steven McLauglin.

So far, there’s no word on whether they could run or not. Some have hopes for former Congressman Faso, but he’s currently passing on the opportunity. 

According to Hudson Valley Community College political science professor Robert Whittaker, there are a number of factors that could decide this race. 

“[Delgado] has to persuade a lot of moderates to continue to support him,” he said. “Control of that district has flipped back and forth between Democrat and Republican a lot recently, so raising a lot of money and winning swing voters, moderate voters, will be the key.”

Whittaker also said Republicans may need to expand their outreach if they hope to knock off Delgado. 

“I think Republicans are going to need to get a traditional Republican who appeals to Republican strengths but also appeals to swing voters, but I think is really good at fundraising,” he explained. 

Delgado’s campaign was contacted, but did not respond.