TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY (WSKG) - With an open seat, the Democratic primary in New York’s 125th Assembly District received a lot of attention this spring. The district covers Tompkins and part of Cortland Counties. Anna Kelles won the nomination, beating six other candidates, and hopes to replace longtime Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton.
In November's general election, Kelles will face Libertarian Matthew McIntyre. There is no Republican contender.
McIntyre, who chairs the Cortland County Libertarian Party, served in the Marine Corps and works in the private sector. McIntyre describes himself as an entrepreneur and said that experience makes him a good candidate.
"I don’t live in a fairy tale world of this is the idea, let’s put it into practice. Well, no I’ve put it into practice and we’ve seen things that do and don’t work," he said.
He said Libertarians can be liberal or conservative but they agree on a limit to government regulation. But, the party also thinks some regulation is necessary. One example would be the legalization of marijuana.
"Even with the legalization or the end of the prohibition of it you can still add regulation to it to where it’s still safe for adult consumption," he said.
As for the pandemic, McIntyre’s critical of the way New York is handling reopening after months of business and school closures.
"I think we should follow Sweden’s take and advise everybody and allow people to make their own decisions," he said.
It’s worth noting that a recent Johns Hopkins study shows Sweden’s death rate due to COVID-19 is higher than its Nordic neighbors.
WSKG reached out to the Kelles campaign, but did not receive a response.