Jon "Bowzer" Bauman was so impressed with Democratic congressional candidate Dana Balter's responses to the Social Security Works PAC's endorsement questionnaire that he said she could've written the questions.
That's not the only reason why she received the group's endorsement Monday.
Bauman, best known for his role with the band Sha Na Na in the 1970s and '80s, visited Syracuse to announce Social Security Works PAC is supporting Balter, D-Syracuse, in the 24th Congressional District race. Balter, D-Syracuse, is challenging U.S. Rep. John Katko, a Republican who is seeking a third term in Congress.
At a press conference, Bauman, who is president of the PAC, read from the questionnaire and revealed Balter's responses. She supports expanding, not cutting, Social Security. She opposes privatization. She supports expanding Medicaid eligibility. She supports efforts to lower prescription drug prices. And she pledged to refer to Social Security and Medicare as "earned benefits."
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"That's what they are," Bauman said. He added that "entitlements" is a pejorative term to describe the programs.
The questionnaire did not ask candidates for their views on Medicare-for-all, although Bauman said they prefer candidates who support expanding the program to every American. Balter endorsed Medicare-for-all on the same day she launched her campaign for Congress.
Balter shared how the social insurance programs, particularly Social Security, have been important to her family. The programs, she continued, have allowed family members to retire in dignity and survive after a disability.
"These are contracts that we, as a country, as a government, make with our citizens and we must uphold them," she said. "We must protect them. We must expand them."
She criticized the tax law signed last year by President Donald Trump. The overhaul was pushed by congressional Republicans. Katko, R-Camillus, voted for the measure.
After passage of the tax legislation, House Speaker Paul Ryan raised the possibility that Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security reforms would be considered to help reduce the debt. The Congressional Budget Office projected the tax law would add nearly $2 trillion to the debt.
Other Republicans have said cuts to programs like Medicare and Social Security may be necessary to reduce the deficit. In public statements, Katko has disagreed with his GOP colleagues and said he wouldn't support cuts to the programs.
But Balter believes the vote for the tax legislation was a signal from the GOP that they intend to cut Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.
"When you send me to Washington, I will be the loudest voice in the room fighting to protect and expand Social Security and Medicare," she said.
Bauman feels confident about the Democrat's chances in the 24th district race. Election forecasters have moved the race to the "lean Republican" column, which means Katko is still favored but Balter is close behind.
Balter raised more than $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, a record for a Syracuse-area congressional candidate.
"This is a really winnable district," Bauman said. "This is a winnable race."