ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - It’s been a week since Tracy Mitrano won the tight Democratic primary in New York’s 23rd Congressional district. The 23rd covers the western Southern Tier, the Finger Lakes and includes Ithaca, Geneva and Hornell.
Mitrano is campaigning at rallies across the district this week.
The incumbent is Republican Tom Reed.
About 50 people gathered in a little park next to Reed’s Corning office.
Mixed in with Mitrano supporters were people in support of Reed. They held signs that read “Extreme Ithaca Liberal,” a common Reed rallying cry against Democratic opponents.
Several people in the crowd said healthcare is a big concern and Mitrano’s making it a key issue in her campaign.
"I put healthcare in the context of economic opportunity overall," Mitrano said. "So, it’s one component of how you launch economic possibilities. Healthy people. Educated people."
Mitrano supports universal healthcare and a single payer system. Congressman Reed has consistently voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and reduce other government supported health care benefits. He’s running for a third term.