Cliff Olney: The North Country Needs a Representative, Not a Presidential Rubber Stamp

The Watertown Post has been pressing both candidates in NY-21 on Canada, tariffs, trade and the growing economic strain along the northern border. On that point, I agree completely: these are exactly the kinds of questions anyone asking to represent the North Country should be expected to answer.

Where I differ is in what I believe the answer should tell us about the candidate.

The Watertown Post has made clear that it supports Anthony Constantino because it believes he will help advance President Trump’s agenda. My own view of representation is different. I do not believe the job of a congressman from Northern New York should be to advance the agenda of any president, governor or political party first. His first responsibility should be to the people who sent him there.

That distinction becomes especially important when Washington policy begins affecting the North Country directly. Trade disputes with Canada are not abstract political arguments here. Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, transportation, small businesses and border communities can all feel the consequences. A representative should be willing to support a president when a policy helps this region and just as willing to challenge that president when it does not.

That is what I find increasingly important about Blake Gendebien’s message. He has said he is willing to stand up to Gov. Kathy Hochul when he believes it is necessary, while also being willing to work with Donald Trump when doing so benefits Upstate New York.

That does not mean Blake should receive a free pass.

If Canada is treating American dairy farmers unfairly, he should say so. If tariffs or retaliation are hurting North Country farmers, businesses or families, he should say that too. If Albany is wrong, challenge Albany. If Washington is wrong, challenge Washington.

That, to me, is what representation is supposed to look like.

There has also been considerable discussion about Gendebien’s recent television ad. Ken Tingley reported that two confidential sources told Politico the state Democratic organization pressured Gendebien over the ad, while Gendebien’s campaign says the commercial had simply completed its scheduled run. Those are competing accounts, and I do not think anyone should pretend the dispute has been conclusively settled.

But the larger principle remains.

A North Country Democrat should not need Albany’s permission to represent the North Country.

And once he arrives in Congress, he should not need Washington’s permission either.

The real question in NY-21 is not simply whether Blake Gendebien is a Democrat or Anthony Constantino is a Republican.

It is this:

Whose voice will they carry when the election is over?

For me, the answer should always be the people who live here.

— Cliff Olney