Congress Returns

The Libertarian Party of New York has endorsed a candidate in the 22nd Congressional District, joining a crowded field of five people seeking to succeed retiring Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld. The Capitol dome is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in this file photo. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

(Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Libertarian Party of New York has endorsed a Herkimer County man for the 22nd Congressional District seat that will be left open when Rep. Richard Hanna retires at the end of the year.

Libertarian Party leaders said they endorsed David Pasick, 30, of the town of Schuyler, to take on Democratic and Republican candidates that may not be determined until after a June 28 primary election.

Pasick is a lecturer in criminology and sociology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica. He lives on a Herkimer County farm that has been in the family since his great-great-grandfather acquired the land in the 1920s.

Pasick said in an interview Monday that he decided to make his first bid for public office because he wants to provide an alternative to those disappointed by the establishment parties.

"I think it's important to have a third-party option for people of this district," Pasick said. "It's a chance to vote for someone who would not be beholden to either party or to big business."

Pasick said he views himself as a pragmatic and centrist candidate, not unlike Hanna, the three-term Republican who had a libertarian streak and often split ways with the GOP on social issues.

David Pasick

"People are tired of the machine," Pasick said. "And people are tired of how partisan Congress has become."

Three Republicans and one Democrat to date are seeking their party's designation to run for the 22nd District seat.

The Republicans are Cazenovia businessman Steve Wells; state Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford; and Endwell history teacher George Phillips.

The only Democrat to file as a candidate is David Gordon, of Utica, a former Oneida County legislator.

The 22nd Congressional District covers all of Madison, Cortland, Chenango and Oneida counties and part of Oswego, Broome, Herkimer, and Tioga counties.

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