Updated at 4 p.m. after visits by two Republican U.S. Senate candidates to the State Fair: Geddes, NY — Two U.S. Senate candidates facing each other in the Republican primary Sept. 14 shared similar experiences Wednesday while campaigning at the State Fair: Both Joe DioGuardi and David Malpass ate an Italian sausage sandwich -- almost an obligation with politcical hoepfuls...
Updated at 4 p.m. after visits by two Republican U.S. Senate candidates to the State Fair:
Geddes, NY — Two U.S. Senate candidates facing each other in the Republican primary Sept. 14 shared similar experiences Wednesday while campaigning at the State Fair:
Both Joe DioGuardi and David Malpass ate an Italian sausage sandwich -- almost an obligation with politcical hoepfuls at the fair. Both faced fairgoers unfamiliar with their names and positions.
And both introduced themselves as running against Sen. Kirsten Gillbrand, the appointed Democratic incumbent who the GOP primary winner will face in November. (In the meantime, DioGuardi and Malpass are in a three-way contest with Bruce Blakeman in the primary).
DioGuardi, a former member of Congress from Westchester County, toured the fair Wednesday morning, spreading a pledge to bring financial responsibility to Congress.
Many potential voters didn’t seem to recognize his name or his face, but they engaged him anyway.
“Are you pro life?” asked man in Syracuse Orange hat and T-shirt. “Completely? That’s the only kind of candidate I vote for. And I vote.”
Outside the Dinosaur Bar- B-Que/Gianelli Sausage stand, DioGuardi stopped some fair visitors from Saratoga County.
He told them he is running for Senate.
“You are! Good for you,” said Polly Tyrrell. “It’s nice to meet you. What have you been doing all your life?”
DioGuardi, who is a certified public accountant, told her of some of his accomplishments, including writing a book called “Unaccountable Congress” back in 1992.
“I never heard of him, but I’ll have to do some research,” Tyrrell said.
David Malpass, a former Wall Street economic analyst who served in the administrations of President Reagan and the first President Bush, also delivered a message that he is campaigning against a government "that is addicted to spending."
Near the entrance to the International Pavilion, he encountered potential voter John Reilly of Groton, in Tompkins County. They talked about government spending.
"I only know him from an ad," Reilly said. "I like what he says."
Later, Malpass met Charles Lynch, of Philadelphia in Jefferson County. Malpass pledged to bring spending under control.
"How are you going to that," Lynch asked. "Can you prove it?"
Malpass cited his work in the Reagan administration as his evidence.
"I haven't made up my mind," Lynch said after shaking Malpass's hand.