Rep. Brandon Williams, a Republican from New York, is criticizing his Democratic opponent, John Mannion, for receiving a progressive endorsement from the New York Working Families Party despite presenting himself as a moderate during their recent debate. The two are competing for control of New York’s 22nd congressional district, which is considered an easy pick-up for Democrats in their efforts to regain control of the House. The district has undergone changes, with redistricting removing areas that strongly supported former President Trump and adding the college town of Cortland, resulting in a shift in voter preferences.
During their debate, Mannion attempted to portray himself as a moderate, despite receiving an endorsement from the progressive New York Working Families Party. Williams’ spokesperson called out Mannion for running on an “anti-cop, pro-Hamas ballot line,” questioning Mannion’s alignment with the party’s policies. The Working Families Party has advocated for progressive measures such as defunding the police, allowing migrants to vote, and establishing drug injection centers. Mannion remains on their list of supported candidates, raising concerns about his political stance.
Although attention has been focused on districts closer to New York City in determining the balance of power in Congress, the Democratic Party has invested resources into the central New York race between Williams and Mannion. Democrats see this as a significant opportunity for a pickup in the fall elections. Mannion, a former school teacher and state senator, has garnered support from labor unions and has taken centrist positions on various issues. In contrast, Williams has attempted to portray Mannion as a liberal posing as a centrist to appeal to voters.
The race between Williams and Mannion has become increasingly contentious as Election Day approaches. Williams, who has emphasized his background as a Navy officer and tech entrepreneur, is seeking to regain the momentum that helped him win by a slim margin in 2022. The 2022 election saw Republican candidates in New York benefiting from backlash against changes to the state’s bail laws. Mannion, who was not in office when these changes were passed, supported subsequent legislation that gave judges more discretion in pretrial jailing decisions, prompting criticism from some progressives.
The New York Working Families Party, which endorsed Mannion, has faced scrutiny for its progressive stances on various issues including defunding the police and advocating for non-citizens to vote. The party has been vocal in calling for a cease-fire in Gaza and has accused Israel of committing war crimes. The race in New York’s 22nd congressional district is seen as a crucial battleground for Democrats to secure a House majority. Mannion, with his background as a school teacher and state senator, is positioned to appeal to swing voters, while Williams seeks to highlight his opponent’s progressive alignment amid a changing political landscape.
