Political Roundup: Democrat launches campaign against Collins

July 21--A Gulf War veteran from western New York this week announced her candidacy for the 27th Congressional District.

Erin Cole is an Army veteran who has worked for the state and federal government and was most recently an executive with the economic development organization, World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara. In a statement, Cole said she is appealing to voters of all political parties because she believes people in the district want a representative who listens to their concerns and advocates for their interests.

"My fellow constituents in the 27th District deserve a leader who is productive, selfless and cares about achieving the greater good," Cole stated in announcing her campaign to unseat Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence.

A steadfast supporter of President Donald Trump, Collins has come under fire for refusing to hold town hall meetings and is the subject of an Office of Congressional Ethics investigation into his investment in an obscure Australian biotech firm.

Cole said she works collaboratively with Democrats and Republicans and is in tune with her neighbors, hearing their concerns about health care, the economy and agriculture. Touting a 29-year career that has included military service, government and the private sector, Cole stated that "service should be about those you serve, not yourself."

"We can't expect the best for our community when we're currently represented by the worst of Washington, D.C.," she stated, blasting Collins for voting for a healthcare bill he admittedly didn't read. Collins has also clearly stated he will not hold town halls.

Born and raised in Erie County, Cole spent eight years in the Army before transitioning into civilian government service. She gained expertise on trade policy and economic development issues while working at the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), according to the release announcing her campaign.

In the Finger Lakes, Cole was director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center where she "helped hundreds of companies expand their international sales and keep jobs in New York," according to the announcement, which added that "most recently, Erin led the Global NY initiative to promote NY exports and attract more foreign direct investment into the state."

The 27th District covers much of western New York and part of the Finger Lakes region, encompassing the western part of Ontario County including Canandaigua, Farmington and Victor. Collins, in his third term, sailed to victory in the last two elections with 67 percent of the vote against Democrats Diana Kastenbaum in 2016 and Jim O'Donnell in 2014. In his first run for the office in 2012, Collins beat then incumbent Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who is now New York lieutenant governor, in a close race with 49 percent.

Early this year, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee placed Collins on its list of targeted Republicans to unseat in the 2018 election.

Political Roundup, a clearinghouse of announcements and developments in local politics, runs on Fridays in the Daily Messenger. To submit an item for consideration, email senior reporter Julie Sherwood at jsherwood@messengerpostmedia.com.

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