With all 33 Senate seats and 435 House seats up for election, the makeup of Congress matters just as much as that of the White House this November.
Incumbent Joe Morelle has held the seat of New York’s 25th congressional district since 2018 — where he represented District 136 of the New York State Assembly since 1991. This November, Morelle faces up against challenger Gregg Sadwick, a small business owner who hopes to see change in Rochester’s congressional representation.
Joe Morelle (D)
Morelle, a lifelong resident of Irondequoit, New York, ties his commitment in public service to his upbringing.
“I grew up in a working class family — my dad was a pipefitter and my mom ran the home,” Morelle said in written responses to the Campus Times. “Every day, I strive to deliver results that reflect the values my parents taught me, and that help build a stronger future for the people I represent.”
Touch on some of the most memorable and impact moments of your career.
“One of the most impactful achievements was passing landmark legislation to strengthen New York’s gun safety laws — some of the toughest in the nation — which continues to help keep our communities safer.
Another was my work in Congress to protect patients from surprise medical billing, a major victory for families dealing with unexpected healthcare costs.
I’m also proud of the bipartisan efforts I led to expand healthcare resources for veterans in crisis with the Honoring our PACT Act, which was signed into law and provides critical support for those who’ve served our country.”
On healthcare
Morelle has previously co-sponsored legislation to improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare for all Americans, including H.R.1488, which caps the price of insulin for those under private health insurance; and H.R.1692, which expands the eligibility for tax credits on insurance premiums to lower-income families.
“These efforts focus on lowering the cost of necessary medical services, expanding coverage, and ensuring that no one has to choose between getting the care they need and paying their bills.”
Do you feel as though there is still progress to be made?
“Yes, I believe there is still significant progress to be made in healthcare […] I’d like to see us build on our work by further reducing prescription drug prices, expanding coverage options, and addressing disparities in healthcare access for underserved communities.”
On women and LGBTQ+ rights
Touch on the efforts you’ve made in regards to abortion and contraceptives in the face of Roe v. Wade’s reversal.
“I have always, and will always, fight for a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions […] I believe we must restore the provisions of Roe v. Wade and ensure women’s reproductive freedom is enshrined into federal law, which is why I’m a co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act. I am [also] a proud member of the Pro-Choice Caucus and support efforts to safeguard access to abortion, contraception, IVF and family planning services, and more.”
Morelle has also supported legislation that prevents harassment and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community with bills H.R.1883 and H.R.5685.
“These bills aim to strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in areas like employment, housing, and healthcare, ensuring that no one is treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In Congress, I continue to advocate for comprehensive non-discrimination protections and support legislation that expands civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.”
On climate change
“The goal of reducing carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 and 90% by 2050 is based on scientific consensus that we must take swift, decisive action to mitigate the worst effects of the climate crisis,” Morelle explained in support of bills H.R.5744 and H.R.7946, which work to educate individuals on and combat the rate of climate change.
As a result of the United Nations’ Paris Agreement, carbon emissions need to be reduced to 45% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050 to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Success for Morelle, then, is measured by the ability to meet those targets — with more work to be done.
“Moving forward, I’d like to see more aggressive investment in clean energy technologies, expanded efforts to hold polluters accountable, and stronger incentives for businesses and communities to adopt sustainable practices,” he added. “We also need to focus on climate resilience, ensuring that vulnerable communities are protected from the impacts of climate change.”
On gun control
In previous years, Morelle worked to ban the distribution of assault weapons, including instituting background checks and liability insurance for gun owners across the nation.
What do you say to individuals who view your efforts as infringing on their Second Amendment rights?
“Gun reform is not about taking away rights; it’s about creating safer communities. By implementing stronger regulations and closing loopholes, we can reduce the risk of mass shootings, prevent guns from being easily accessible to dangerous individuals, and hold manufacturers and dealers accountable for irresponsible practices. I believe that these reforms can save lives without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
On education
While the Biden administration works to cancel existing student loans for Americans, Morelle pushed for the elimination of interest on loans.
“By offering options to restructure loans at lower rates, we can give students a path to paying off their debt without being stuck in a cycle of increasing costs,” he stated.
Explain your interest behind H.R.2957, legislation designed to modernize the reporting of postsecondary outcomes.
“This legislation is designed to modernize the reporting of postsecondary outcomes, providing prospective students with critical data on things like graduation rates, employment outcomes, and average student debt at individual institutions.
By improving the availability of this information, we can help students make more informed choices about their education and future careers. It also holds colleges accountable for delivering on the promise of preparing students for the workforce.”
On affordability
When it comes to measuring success in affordability, Morelle’s focus on legislation includes improving access to childcare, food, and housing — in addition to raising wages.
What challenges have you faced in supporting a $15 minimum wage?
“In Congress, I co-sponsored legislation that would have gradually raised the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024 so all working families could earn a living wage. Unfortunately, we have faced challenges from those who are focused more on corporate profits than the needs of working people.”
On the election
“Throughout my career, I’ve strived to represent a deep commitment to service and the value[s] that matter most to my constituents,” Morelle concluded. “I want to be known for being a tireless advocate for working families — fighting to reduce their everyday costs, expand access to healthcare, protect reproductive rights, and create opportunities for everyone.”
Gregg Sadwick (R)
For Sadwick, winning November’s election would be his first time holding public office. Though he is running as a Republican, his campaign slogan reads ‘not left, not right, forward’ — and his policies, according to him, represent a life of discontent with the traditional theater of politics.
“My values are Republican, I don’t hide that. But America is a big place,” Sadwick stated in an interview with the Campus Times. “America’s got over 330 million people, and both sides think they can just dig their heels in on their sole issues. That’s not how it works. We have to work across the aisle.”
On accountability
One of Sadwick’s leading positions includes instituting term limits on members of Congress.
“The president already has term limits — why is Congress not talking about its own term limits? In its purest system, we shouldn’t need term limits. The electorate should be educated enough to pick and choose what makes sense.
We don’t have a pure system, we have a system where money favors the incumbents.”
On affordability and inflation
Sadwick sees increasing housing supply as the solution to affordability.
“When it comes to available housing, the city’s being left behind. There’s housing in the city that’s just been dilapidated and abandoned.”
Instead, Gregg mentions, government funding could be used to incentivize communities to transform old houses in their neighborhoods.“One is it gives pride in home ownership. Two, it gives pride in the neighborhood.”
Touch on some of the subsidies and tax credits you’d like to give first time homeowners.
“I think tax credits is the way to go, because that gives people skin in the game … childcare credits. I think America’s in a place right now where we need to be helping the families.”
When it comes to tackling inflation, Sadwick points to the national debt as the source of his issues.
“Our national debt is $36 trillion. Our GDP is about $28 trillion … There’s no reason our debt should be more than our output. In addition to that, the single biggest line item right now on the national budget is interest on the debt. We’re paying more in interest than we are for our national defense … that is not a good way to run a business or a household or a government.”
On border reform
When it comes to the U.S.-Mexico border, Sadwick supports a physical barrier akin to the border wall touted by conservatives in recent years.
For those that may be unlawfully here, what proposals do you envision that would allow them to integrate lawfully into the country?
“This is an immigrant country, too. I mean, we can’t turn back on our roots … It’s not ‘send them all back’ and it’s not ‘let them all stay’ … If they are vetted properly, then we should be keeping them here because we do need people here to grow the country.”
On abortion
“First and foremost, women should have the right to choose,” Sadwick stated.
Though not in support of partial and late-term abortions, his set of policies on the matter revolve around providing women with information and resources that would encourage them to bring a child to term.
“Planned Parenthood is not there for them after [an abortion]. They just have their revenue stream and then they’re on their own.”
On the election
Sadwick ties his vision for office back to his campaign slogan in his commitment to honoring what’s best for the country, not his party.
“America is a big place. We can’t just dig our heels in because we dig our heels and we get nowhere […] I’ll stick to my core values [of] traditional family, small government, secure borders, peace through strength, [and] fiscal responsibility.”
