At times, I have felt an urge to give my opinion, while simultaneously sharing equal sides of an argument writing for the Campus Times. With this upcoming election being so important locally, I feel that I have an obligation to share one opinion with no obscurity.
For this year’s race in New York’s 25th Congressional District, Joe Morelle (D) has got to go. Gregg Sadwick (R) needs to be our next representative.
Someone not from Rochester probably is wondering who I am even talking about. Joe Morelle has been Rochester’s representative over the past six years, taking over for late Rep. Louise Slaughter. In very simple terms, he has been one of the most ineffective representatives on the hill since assuming office.
According to the Center for Effective Law, an independent organization composed of University of Virginia and University of Vanderbilt students, Rep. Joe Morelle ranked in the bottom 10% of representatives in regards to effective legislation crafting and bill passing. In fact, he aligned partisanly with President Joe Biden on his voting record 100% of the time in this year’s session thus far.
Additionally in the report, they found that during the previous congressional session, he in fact did not craft or sponsor any substantive legislation that passed in the House of Representatives. This lack of care for the community is as if the representative has not taken the time to research needs that affect the Rochester community.
As a lifelong Rochestarian, I saw something very unique play out in front of my eyes. I saw a transition for the city and for the greater community from hope to darkness. I saw the care of our previous representative, who championed causes close to many community members’ hearts. Even before Rep. Slaughter died in office, she passionately fought for the expanded funding of infrastructure which now bears her name, such as Louise Slaughter train station. She also took the time to fund local town projects at a federal level, always fighting for further funding of roads and sidewalks that were not usually earmarked in local budgets.
Looking to the present, I now see the mockery that Joe Morelle has made of Rochester and his predecessors’ legacy over a grueling six-year time period. If Slaughter were alive today, she would be embarrassed by Morelle’s divisive nature and inaction.
Things have to change. This change starts at the ballot box. Voters complain about choice. If you are voting in Rochester, you have an alternative to the disrespect our community has faced over the years at the whim of Joe Morelle. From his disrespect of campaign law, to his community corruption scandal surrounding Sabrina Lamar, things have to change. That choice is Gregg Sadwick.
A businessman, a community servant, and an open ear, Sadwick has never been one to back down from a challenge. As a fellow alumnus of my high school in the suburbs of Rochester, I also take comfort in the fact that a potential representative actually knows what it is like to grow up in a middle class neighborhood, surrounded by everyday working people.
When comparing Sadwick’s policy goals to Morelle’s, you see a clear difference. Sadwick seems very sensible. When it comes to women’s rights, he supports a woman’s right to choose and discusses combating domestic violence. In regards to business and the economy, he has a clear economic agenda to invest in infrastructure, creating local jobs. What does Morelle run on? The fact that “Extremist Republicans” are taking your rights away. Is this the guy you want to represent Rochester? A man so fixated on Trump that he can’t even pass a bill to help the community?
I think the best contrast between Morelle and Sadwick is their campaign slogans. Joe Morelle has coined the phrase “Fighting For Us,” although I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him in the community outside of the six-month election window. I still question who the “us” is in his campaign.
Sadwick’s slogan? “Not Left, Not Right, Forward.” The message to me highlights exactly what he is trying to do with this campaign. Finally casting away party politics and his party’s ghosts in exchange for a common sense voice to represent Rochester in Washington.
Many will be hesitant of the fact that Sadwick is a Republican and that their values don’t all align with him. But that is exactly what makes him so special as a candidate. You don’t have to agree 100% of the time with someone to support them for the good of the community.
If we went by the 100% logic, we would all vote for Morelle, who has often used divisive rhetoric about his opponents to achieve his political devices. The result of Morelle’s last victory was a two-year cycle of — you guessed it — nothing!
So while we preach from our high horses about righteousness and virtues we pride ourselves with, think to yourself on Election Day: Who do we want to be as a country? Who do we want to be as a Rochester community?
If the answer to those questions is that you want an inclusive and multicultural community, look for confidence not in the current congressional incumbent. Who knows? Maybe we can finally establish an effective change for Rochester, and continue the changes that Louise Slaughter started.
