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Coverage of central and northern New York's congressional races, including the primary races and the general election.Races covered include the 24th Congressional District, currently held by Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus), who is running for reelection; the 22nd Congressional District, currently held by Rep. Richard Hanna (R-Barneveld), who is retiring; and the 21st Congressional District, currently held by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro).

Wendy Long soldiers on against Schumer, despite the odds

Karen DeWitt
/
WRVO News
Wendy Long, left, candidate for Senate, spoke to the NY delegation to the Republican National Convention Tuesday.

Wendy Long, the Republican candidate for Senate running against Sen. Charles Schumer, faces great odds in her campaign against the powerful and popular third-term senator. Long made her case when she addressed the New York delegation to the Republican National Convention Tuesday.

It’s the second time that Wendy Long is running for Senate. She lost to incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand four years ago, by 46 points, the largest margin of defeat for any statewide candidate in New York, ever.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday finds Long 32 points behind Schumer. But the New York City-based attorney and Dartmouth graduate is undeterred.

In her speech to the delegates, some of whom talked during her address, she compared Donald Trump to Cleveland’s famous basketball star.

“Donald Trump is like Lebron James,” Long said. “He is just a force of nature.”

She says Trump has the ability to reach average Americans and New Yorkers just like Ronald Reagan did back in 1980.

Long says she wants to help restore the state to the rule of law, not the “rule of the mob.” She says political correctness is killing our economy and security. And she linked Schumer to Wall Street, saying he resisted regulations pressed by the Bush Administration. She says Schumer is part of an establishment that includes big government, big business and big media, which she predicts will soon crumble.

“They’re in an unholy alliance against the little guy,” said Long, who says that group includes middle-class Americans and community banks.

Long says she can bring a “regular citizen’s” perspective to Washington.

Karen DeWitt is Capitol Bureau Chief for New York State Public Radio, a network of 10 public radio stations in New York State. She has covered state government and politics for the network since 1990.