NY 19th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT — The seven candidates hoping to win the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Congressman John Faso later this year have expressed similar positions on a number of issues. Gareth Rhodes, however, is distinguishing himself by promising to personally visit all 163 towns and cities in the district before the June 26 primary. He’s traveling in a 1999 Winnebago through an expansive district that’s 79,000 square miles. So far, he’s visited more than 110 locations, and several times he’s travelled to western Sullivan County.

He’s been to the Town of Tusten four times since his campaign began, he’s visited the Town of Cochecton twice, and he’s been to several other places in the county. His pitch on the campaign trail is to ask people to make a donation of $19, a figure that most people can afford. 

He said, “This is the core of my campaign; it’s my promise to listen to what’s on the minds of the neighbors in each one of the towns, not just during the campaign, but I’ve made a promise to go to every single town once elected, so the voters can hold me accountable for the promises I make.”

Rhodes grew up on a working farm in Ulster County. After he graduated Kingston High School, he took a job drilling wells in the region. He then went to college and became the first in his family to earn a four-year degree. After that, he got a job working in the administration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He left that job to attend Harvard Law School for two and a half years, until taking a temporary leave to run for Congress at age 29.

He makes a point of pointing out his familiarity with Sullivan County on his website.

“Growing up here in Upstate New York, I have many great memories from my time in western Sullivan County, trout fishing along the East Branch of the Delaware River, and other great memories. And as a former water-well driller, I understand the importance of clean water, which is why I am so proud to have worked to ban fracking in New York State.

“Western Sullivan County and all of NY-19 deserves a representative who shows up and puts the needs of our Delaware River communities first. That’s why I was here delivering cases of water bottles to local fire departments after the winter storms in March, and why I have promised to make western Sullivan County a priority as a member of Congress.”

Asked if he found it frustrating to be running in a field of seven candidates, he said, “I don’t find it frustrating; it’s been a good experience for our party. There’s a lot of creative energy and momentum around the district… I’m one of the only candidates with real local roots in the district, and the only candidate who has actually worked in government.”

His positions on various issues can be found at www.garethrhodes.com.

[The River Reporter plans to interview all seven of the Democratic candidates for NY’s 19th Congressional District before the primary.]