NY-24 voter guide: Tenney and Wagenhauser face off over jobs, healthcare, and social issues | Fingerlakes1.com

The race for New York’s 24th Congressional District, featuring Republican incumbent Claudia Tenney and Democratic challenger David Wagenhauser, has emerged as a key battleground with each candidate presenting starkly different visions for the region and the country. With Tenney defending her conservative record and Wagenhauser advocating for change, voters face a critical choice in the upcoming election.

Economic Development and Jobs

Tenney, a staunch advocate for small businesses, emphasizes a pro-growth, deregulation platform. Drawing on her experience as a manufacturing business owner, she supports reducing taxes and removing what she calls “burdensome” regulations that she argues stifle business expansion. Tenney also opposes policies like the CHIPS and Science Act, which she criticizes as wasteful government spending, despite its aim to bring semiconductor manufacturing and jobs to Upstate New York.

In contrast, Wagenhauser advocates for federal investment in emerging technologies and infrastructure to revitalize the local economy. He supports legislation like the CHIPS Act, which has already brought investments such as Micron’s multi-billion dollar semiconductor plant to nearby districts. Wagenhauser highlights his commitment to making Upstate New York a hub for advanced manufacturing, emphasizing policies that create long-term career opportunities rather than low-wage jobs.

Healthcare Policy and Social Security

Healthcare is a contentious issue between the two candidates. Tenney calls for a free-market, patient-centered approach, advocating for greater competition among insurers and flexibility in choosing providers. She has repeatedly voted against expanding federal healthcare programs, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which she argues raises costs for consumers. Tenney also emphasizes her opposition to drug pricing legislation, stating that more competition, not regulation, is the solution.

Wagenhauser, on the other hand, supports expanding and strengthening the ACA and advocates for introducing a public option to increase competition and lower costs. He criticizes Tenney’s record, noting her opposition to capping insulin prices and her votes against expanding Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices. Wagenhauser stresses that affordable healthcare is essential to reducing the financial burden on working families and seniors and argues that Tenney’s positions disproportionately favor pharmaceutical companies.

Social Issues: Reproductive Rights and Gun Policy

Social issues mark another sharp divide. Tenney, a strong proponent of Second Amendment rights, opposes what she calls “unproven” gun control measures. She has consistently voted against restrictions, positioning herself as a defender of gun owners’ rights in Upstate New York. Tenney also opposes federal protections for abortion access and has voted against bills that would secure contraceptive rights and reproductive healthcare at the federal level.

Wagenhauser supports common-sense gun control measures, such as universal background checks and banning assault weapons. He frames his approach as a balance between respecting gun owners and addressing gun violence. On reproductive rights, Wagenhauser champions access to abortion services, stating that the federal government should protect the right to choose. He criticizes Tenney’s voting record, arguing that her stance jeopardizes women’s healthcare in the district.

Immigration and National Security

Immigration policy is another key point of contention. Tenney advocates for securing the southern border and enforcing strict immigration laws, aligning with her party’s emphasis on border control as a national security issue. She opposes policies providing pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and DREAMers, focusing instead on bolstering border security resources.

Wagenhauser, meanwhile, supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes securing borders while also providing a pathway to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants and DREAMers. He argues that a fair and humane approach to immigration is necessary, both for economic growth and national security.

Infrastructure and Environment

Tenney and Wagenhauser also clash over infrastructure investment and environmental policy. Tenney opposed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, criticizing it as excessive government spending. She has promoted deregulation efforts to increase domestic energy production, arguing that it will lower costs for families and businesses in her district. Tenney’s stance on fracking is also notable; she supports overturning New York’s ban to boost energy production, despite environmental concerns.

Wagenhauser highlights infrastructure as a priority, supporting federal investment to repair and modernize roads, bridges, and broadband access, especially in rural parts of the district. On the environment, he emphasizes the importance of clean water initiatives and opposes fracking, advocating for the protection of the district’s lakes and natural resources.

Voter Engagement in a Competitive Race

With the redrawn 22nd District boundaries and Wagenhauser’s focus on local issues like job creation, healthcare affordability, and infrastructure, Democrats see the seat as a potential flip. Tenney, however, remains a formidable incumbent with strong support from conservative voters and a clear message on economic freedom and law enforcement. As Election Day nears, both campaigns are mobilizing to turn out voters in what is expected to be one of the state’s most competitive and closely watched races.

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