Cobb, who hopes to gain the Democratic nomination to run against U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, met with local supporters at the downtown Sir William Johnson Park.
The St. Lawrence County businesswoman the last two days had been gathering petitions and visiting all 12 counties of her district, ending her political odyssey in Fulton County. She was due today to present her petitions today to the state Board of Elections in Albany. The 21st Congressional District includes all or parts of Fulton, Hamilton, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington counties.
“We are going to reach out to everyone who signed those petitions,” Cobb said.
Cobb told a gathering Monday night in the park that she now has 700 volunteers associated with her campaign. She also has a new campaign manager — Mike Szustak of Philadelphia — who starts next week.
But Cobb still faces an uphill battle to get the nomination with six other Democratic candidates. They are: Dylan Ratigan of Saranac Lake; David Mastrianni of Saratoga Springs; Don Boyajian of Cambridge; Katie Wilson of Keene; Patrick Nelson of Stillwater; and Emily Martz of Saranac Lake.
Cobb, who announced in July 2017 she was running, needed a total of 1,250 signatures and her campaign indicated she has well exceeded that. She said her goal was to obtain 200 election petition signatures from Fulton County residents, but she secured 267.
Several supporters from her home base and locally embraced Cobb and held up signs for her during Monday night’s rally.
“You’re my family now,” the candidate stated, to wild applause. “How do you feel about taking back the government?”
She added, “We love the Constitution. We love the United States. We love northern New York.”
Cobb claimed that Stefanik sides with corporate donors, and does everything she can to shut down rural hospitals. Other jabs at her potential GOP opponent included what she said is Stefanik’s opposition to current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. She said Stefanik also “refuses to hold town meetings.”
Cobb said the 21st Congressional District needs “compassionate and competent” government. She said Stefanik is working to “gut” the Adirondack Park Agency.
She urged everyone following her campaign to add to the 2,000 “likes” on Facebook, and read about her platform and policy statements on her website, TedraCobb.com.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected]
