Published: July 26, 2008 12:54 am      

ELECTION 2008: Powers holds meet-and-greet at Lockport home

The Powers Platoon continues to advance on the open seat in the 26th Congressional District.

Congressional hopeful Jonathan Powers made a stop on the campaign trail Friday in Lockport for a meet-and-greet at the home of resident Tony Sammarco. Powers, an Iraq War veteran, is running for the Democratic Party nomination in the race for the 26th Congressional District. Republican Congressman Thomas Reynolds, four term incumbent, announced his retirement earlier this year. Powers spent Friday getting to know some local residents and listening to their concerns about the issues.

“It’s the best way to have a conversation,” he said. “Our voices have been lost in Washington.”

Powers said he has done a number of informal meet-and-greet sessions like the one Friday, even doing 30 in 30 days, at one point. With a district that stretches from Lockport to Rochester and covers parts of seven different counties, there’s a lot of traveling involved with a busy campaign schedule.

Powers outlined his reasons for running. He said the U.S. he grew up in has lost its way, and change is needed.

“Together, we can do it,” he told the crowd.

Powers said he was a teacher and a soldier, and not a millionaire. He said his campaign relies on donations, and he has raised about $900,000 so far. About 80 percent of his donors give less than $100, and 67 percent give less than $50. Powers said the donors were everyday Western New Yorkers.

Powers has been endorsed by six county Democratic committees: Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming. He said Friday that the national Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has selected his campaign as part of its “red to blue” program. The program provides support for candidates the committee sees as strong agents of change. Powers said it will bring some national attention to the 26th district race.

Residents asked Powers questions about everything from gas prices to the war in Iraq, health care and manufacturing jobs. At the meet-and-greet, Richard and Kay Burgess of Lockport said they liked being able to talk to the candidate in person.

“Very much, it’s a great way to start,” Kay Burgess said.

“I like his stance on Iraq, Afghanistan, Social Security and health care,” Richard Burgess said.

When asked, Powers said that in order to help stop the flight of jobs overseas, he would hold those businesses to the same standards they would have to meet if they were here in the U.S.

“We can come compete on a level field,” he said.

On rising gas prices, Powers said he would encourage the use of alternative energy sources such as solar or bio-fuels, and break the country’s addiction to oil. But he said he can’t do it alone. Powers encouraged everyone to go out and vote in the Sept. 9 primary.

Also seeking the party’s nomination are two other Democrats: millionaire Akron industrialist Jack Davis and Buffalo environmental attorney Alice Kryzan. Clarence business executive Christopher Lee is running for the Republican line in the race. Anthony L. Fumerelle filed for the Independence line.

Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.