Spectrum News
November 6, 2018
By: Spectrum News Staff
For the third time in four years, North Country voters have granted Elise Stefanik a two-year term in Congress.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our young supporters, to all of our veterans, to all of the hard working families across our district,” Stefanik said Tuesday night.
Just 34 years old, the Republican incumbent defeated Democrat Tedra Cobb and the Green Party’s Lynn Kahn, in Tuesday’s 21st Congressional District race.
“This is a tough political climate. Historically, it’s always tough for the parties in power if you control the White House and Congress. Historically the party in power loses seats but I think my record of results really carried the day,” she said.
In her first re-election bid two years ago, Stefanik earned more than 65 percent of the vote. This time around, as Democrats flipped House seats across the country, Stefanik avoided being swept up in the so called “blue wave” but won just 55 percent of the vote.
“[There’s] not a ‘blue wave’ in my district, I think there’s a wave of results and common sense and I’m really excited about our margin and our cross-party support,” said Stefanik.
Potentially becoming part of the minority for the first time in her elected career, Stefanik says she will continue working on behalf of all voters in her district, no matter their political allegiance.
“The good news is I have a very strong record of reaching across the aisle and getting things done. in this case if it is indeed a Democratic Congress, I look forward to working with my colleagues,” she said.
The 21st District spans from northern Saratoga County to much of the North Country.
“I am proud to be a strong voice for our small businesses and our North Country manufacturers; for our farmers; and of course, for the brave men and women in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum,” Stefanik said in her victory speech.
Stefanik was the youngest member of Congress when first elected to office, and there is a large Republican enrollment advantage in the 21st.
