A Democrat from Saratoga County launched his campaign for New York’s 21st Congressional District on Wednesday.
South Glens Falls native Dylan Hewitt described himself as a seventh-generation upstate New Yorker. At a press conference in the village, Hewitt said he worked as a deputy assistant U.S. trade representative in the Biden White House.
“I served the president to protect American workers, to stand up to corporate monopolies and to take on China and strengthen our national security,” he said.
Democrat Dylan Hewitt launched his campaign for NY-21 Wednesday. Photo provided by Hewitt for Congress
Hewitt said incumbent Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has turned her back on the district in favor of billionaires and donors. He said if elected in next year’s mid-terms, he’ll focus on paid family leave, universal child care, reversing Medicaid cuts and fully funding public education.
“This campaign is for anyone who believes that you deserve to live with dignity and have the freedom to thrive,” Hewitt said. “Jobs that pay enough to live, health care that you can count on and a fair shot at success.”
Hewitt’s entry into the race sets up a potential Democratic primary with St. Lawrence County farmer Blake Gendebien. NY-21 Democrats wanted Gendebien to run in an anticipated special election earlier this year that never materialized because President Donald Trump withdrew Stefanik’s U.N. ambassador nomination.
Stefanik spokesman Alex deGrasse said in a statement that Hewitt’s primary challenge was proof Gendebien is a “disastrous candidate.” He said whoever wins the primary will “get crushed in a landslide like every other Democrat in this district.”
Stefanik is mulling a run for governor next year but will not make an official decision until after this November’s elections. A spokesperson for Gendebien didn’t return a request for comment on Wednesday afternoon.