Campaign Countdown: New York's 21st Congressional District

Democrat Tedra Cobb is challenging republican incumbent Rep. Elise Stefanik to represent New York's 21st Congressional District in Washington.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has held New York's 21st Congressional seat the last four years. The republican was the youngest women elected to Congress at 30 and says her great accomplishment has been staying bipartisan.

Stefanik say's she's running for reelection based on what she calls her record of results, like helping pass the largest pay increase U.S. troops have seen in years. She says she has also been effective on health care issues, working for better broadband and jobs in the district, and standing up for veterans.

"Veteran's care is incredibly important. I represent the highest number of veterans out of any Congressional district in New York state," Stefanik said.

District 21 spans 40 percent of the state's geography and is home to 194 towns and villages. Stefanik says representing such a large district poses challenges to meet everyone's needs. "For example, in this region people are very concerned about U.S. Canadian trade, making sure we have a strong approach and a strong economic partnership for our local economy. You have parts of the district that are more focused on Adirondack tourism and then the Fort Drum community," Stefanik said.

Stefanik is up against democrat Tedra Cobb, who says she is the best candidate to get things done for New York's North Country. "It's about working with democrats and republicans. It's about listening to the people in the community and giving them the opportunity to voice there opinions and their thoughts and share their expertise," Cobb said

The Canton resident has spent her life helping people in the health care field, was a volunteer firefighter and served as a St. Lawrence County legislator for eight years.

Cobb bills herself as a "North Country insider," and not a "Washington insider." Her campaign is focused on fair and sensible immigration policies, protecting the environment, and building a thriving economy. She says accessible health care should be a priority in the campaign. "The principal is that every person should have affordable and portable health care, and I'm going to say something else. We should have mental health care. We should have services for people facing addiction and recovery," Stefanik said.

And a fun fact about the Congressional race -- for the first time in District 21 history it will be an all female ballot.