Rep. Tenney Runs Taxpayer - Funded Partisan Political Ads as NY24 Congressional Race Begins
Waterloo, NY – NY Representative Claudia Tenney is currently running a series of partisan political television ads that have blanketed Upstate and Western New York. The ads are run on network affiliate television stations during prime local news broadcasts - among the most expensive airtime to purchase. The ads, however, are not paid for by Tenney’s campaign or personal funds. They are paid for by taxpayer dollars, as indicated by the on-screen disclaimer text which appears in each commercial.
“Representative Tenney should be paying for these ads herself, using the millions she’s raised from special interests. Not public funds,” stated David Wagenhauser, the NY24 Democratic candidate challenging Tenney. “Tenney is certainly free to point out problems such as the border crisis and her ineffective efforts to combat the issue that threatens our nation. But the use of public money to promote one’s personal or political ambitions is morally wrong. If she wants to score political points by sewing partisan discord, she should do it on her own dime” he said.
The use of “franked mail,” that allows an elected official to use taxpayer dollars to communicate congressional updates to constituents (39 US Code 3210) has a long history, traditionally using newsletters or, more recently, emails. A reasonable viewer, however, could hardly mistake the ominous tone and accusatory partisan content of the ads as being on a par with the typical mailing.
“Like so many members of our broken Congress, Tenney looks to squeeze everything she can from the public coffers. While not prima facie illegal, it certainly raises ethical questions,” Wagenhauser said. Claudia Tenney’s ethical actions have been called into question in the past such as when she funneled $100,000 in campaign funds through businesses in which she had an interest.
“Clearly we need to address immigration and the border crisis, but it’s equally clear that her failure to reach across the aisle and compromise has made the problem worse” Wagenhauser stated. “We could have placed 2000 more agents at the borders, and begun adjudicating asylum claims quickly via a Conservative led bill that was supported by US Border Patrol Officers,” he continued. “Instead we are left with a problem that is not going away and, in fact, is getting worse.”
“In this time of divided government, I believe compromise and working together is the way to make incremental improvements and deliver real results for our people. Tenney has chosen a no-compromise approach and the results speak for themselves: zero bills passed in 5 years. I will work to deliver results, but the one thing I will not negotiate on: I will not use taxpayer dollars to pay for partisan political ads.”
ABOUT David Wagenhauser and NY-24
NY’s -24th Congressional District includes Orleans, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Niagara, Oswego, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates, and portions of Jefferson, Schuyler, Steuben and Cayuga Counties.
David Wagenhauser grew up in Spencerport, NY, where he spent summers working on local farms. He went to college at SUNY Brockport and Syracuse University College of Law and served as a public interest attorney and Executive Director in Washington, DC. Wagenhauser has testified before Congress and worked to craft bi-partisan legislation. He also served as VP at his mother’s home care agency and served as an elected Village Trustee in Brockport, NY.
Wagenhauser lives with his wife of over 25 years (Laura), in Waterloo, NY. Their daughter lives and works in NYC and their son is a Junior at Syracuse University. David and Laura are currently working to restore an historic 175 year old home in Waterloo.
Wagenhauser is a fighter for Upstate NY, who believes that a Representative can be more effective for their district by exercising civility and respect while finding common ground to deliver common sense solutions.
Dave stands strong on his values - the values of Upstate NY - that are detailed at his website: www.DaveforUpstate.com .