Succeeding Slaughter: Five takeaways from NY's 25th District congressional debate

Brian Sharp
Democrat and Chronicle
Candidates for New York's 25th Congressional District (from left) Robin Wilt, Rachel Barnhart, Adam McFadden and Joseph Morelle met for their first of two televised debates on Friday, June 15, 2018.

For many voters, Friday's debate between Democratic candidates seeking to replace the late U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter was an introduction.

The debate, hosted by WROC-TV (Channel 8) and the League of Women Voters, marked the first of two televised debates, with the other set for Thursday.

While offering scarce opportunities for candidates to engage one another, it nonetheless produced a few jabs, scathing attacks on President Donald Trump and an opportunity for voters to replace a familiar face with a new one, connect that face to a name, and to a voice that might one day represent them in Congress.

And to decide, as candidate and Rochester City Council Vice President Adam McFadden said afterward, whether that voice was timid or commanding, representative or beholden to other interests.

Democratic voters head to the polls on June 26 to choose between McFadden; Brighton Town Board member Robin Wilt; state Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle of Irondequoit; and former broadcast journalist Rachel Barnhart of Rochester, founder of citizens watchdog group Rochester For All.  

More:Succeeding Slaughter: Candidates vie for House seat in the shadow of an icon

Here are five takeaways from the debate: 

Morelle is the perceived front-runner but was targeted only a few times during the hour

His opponents chided him for a response in which he praised local nonprofit, affordable housing developers as among the state's best, seeing "a significant number of increases," while going on to say that housing must be linked to services. Wilt and McFadden both spoke about the lack of housing for low-income residents. Said Wilt: "I don't know what Mr. Morelle is talking about when he is saying that we have one of the best systems of affordable housing in the state because that is not what we witness on the streets." McFadden went further: "We have the worst low-income housing system in the state because you can't find housing for poor people here."

Barnhart, echoing a criticism she has voiced throughout the campaign, sought to link Morelle to Albany, and its history of corruption and obstinance, saying: "We don't need to send Albany to Washington .... This election is the perfect opportunity to turn the page and elect new people, and chart a new path for the Democratic Party."

More:Morelle apologizes for 'insensitive comment' in 2001 rape case

Single-payer health care

On health care, all advocated for a single-payer or Medicare for all approach and voiced support for either existing legislation, proposals or used other countries as models. Morelle, who previously led the Assembly's Insurance Committee, went into detail, saying he would reform and expand Medicare to truly make it a single-payer system that eventually covers everyone, free of racial and geographic disparities, paid for through a progressive tax.

Political veterans or new leaders?

Wilt and Barnhart argued their years in grassroots organizing and journalism, respectively, were precisely what was needed in Washington. But McFadden and Morelle sought to make the most of their legislative records and experience in elected office, something that sets them apart in the field. McFadden also is past president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.

Said Morelle: "I think more and more Americans realize that the lack of experience at any governmental level by Donald Trump has turned out to be a disastrous experiment ... and I think that shows people that experience in government, the ability to build coalitions, the ability when necessary to work across the aisle, the ability to listen, to hear to examine, to question is important."

The Trump card

Not surprisingly, Trump was a topic of discussion, with candidates taking aim at the administration's controversial immigration and environmental actions. Asked if they would vote to impeach, Wilt said, "yes," if given the opportunity. Same for Barnhart, though she stressed Democrats needed more of a message than hating on Trump come this fall. Morelle said Trump was unworthy of the office, and possibly the worst president in history, but that he preferred voters make the decision. And McFadden? "Our citizens deserve elected officials who will go to Washington, D.C. not to fight for impeachment but fight for resources .... Our people are suffering."

Gun control

On gun control and whether the SAFE Act is a national model, Morelle said it was. McFadden said it didn't go far enough because it failed to provide protections seen in urban schools (he mentioned metal detectors and school resource officers) to rural and suburban schools. Barnhart urged more discussion on safe storage. And Wilt said there needed to be increased capacity to screen for mental health and protections in instances of domestic violence.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican candidate and neurosurgeon James Maxwell of East Rochester. 

New York's 25th District lies entirely within Monroe County and encompasses all of Rochester. The district leans Democrat, with enrollment records released this week showing the pool of eligible voters is overwhelmingly female, and over the age of 55. Just more than one in three lives in the city. 

BDSHARP@Gannett.com

Coming up

Next on the schedule is the Voice of the Voter debate set for 8 p.m. Thursday, June 21.

Voice of the Voter is a collaboration of WXXI Public Broadcasting, Democrat and Chronicle, WHAM-TV (Channel 13) and WDKX-FM (103.9). The debate will be streamed on DemocratandChronicle.com and other participating media websites and Facebook pages, and air live on WDKX, on WXXI-AM (1370) and on WXXI (Channel 21)

Free rides to the polls

► Medicab Transportation and Medical Motor Service are donating rides to help voters with accessibility needs get to the polls on Tuesday. Call by 4 p.m. Friday, June 22 to arrange a ride.
Medicab: (585) 342-7150 (rides available noon until 3 p.m.)
Medical Motor Service: (585) 654-7030 (rides available noon to 2 p.m.)
► Monroe County Democratic Committee is providing general rides to the polls. Leave a message with your name and telephone number at (585) 434-1620.