By WBFO Newsroom
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-970216.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Voters across the 26th Congressional District are heading to the polls Tuesday in a special election.
But on the final day of campaigning, the candidates were putting in a full-day seeking support.
WBFO's Michael Mroziak was at the Amherst Senior Center Monday, where Republican hopeful Jane Corwin was telling seniors not to believe the claims that she would do away with Medicare as the public knows it.
Current State Assemblywoman and Republican congressional candidate Jane Corwin told an audience at the Amherst Senior Center that she's not trying to kill Medicare, but rather trying to save it from bankruptcy.
Her plan would continue Medicare as it currently exists for people ages 55 and older, but would modify Medicare for anyone younger than 55 to cover it based on insurance premiums rather than claims.
Corwin admits if she could run her campaign all over again.
"I probably would have addressed the Medicare message. coming out of my opponent, quicker. I have to admit when she started to make those comments, I thought this is so outrageous no one would believe it. apparently some people did," said Corwin.
Adele Vallone is one of the senior citizens in attendance who do not believe Corwin's opponents.
"They're crazy. I don't even watch them. It's like a joke what they are doing. She's wonderful," said Vallone.
Norman Hart is also among Corwin's supporters. What's important to him is getting government spending under control. "They're crazy. I don't even watch them. It's like a joke what they are doing. She's wonderful," said Hart.
On the eve of the special election to fill the seat vacated by the disgraced Chris Lee, Corwin trailed in the polls by six points. She told reporters in Amherst the only numbers concerning her are the ones that will come in on election night.
Democrat Kathy Hochul still considers herself an under dog in a heavily enrolled republican district even though she has a six point lead in the latest poll.
"I don't believe polls. The only one that matters is on election night. But listening to the people, I'm encouraged, I'm fired up, I'm motivate. But it's not over, it's not over, there's a lot of time between now and then and again underdog mentality keeps me going," said Hochul.
Hochul held a round of final "get-out-the-vote" campaigning in Rochester Monday where she was joined by Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy and greeted citizens. Hochul is now amazed at the impact her campaign. She says her message Medicare is what the voters want.
"And that Medicare issues, the Ryan budget scares people. They don't like the priorities. As I've said all along, even republicans in this district do not support the priorities of the Ryan Budget, which would balance the budget on the backs of seniors and future seniors while still giving huge tax breaks to oil companies and allowing tax breaks to continue for millionaires and billionaires," said Hochul.
Even former President Bill Clinton recorded a campaign message in support for Hochul. He explains how she would work to protect Medicare. The message was distributed by the Democratic National Committee.
Meantime, businessman Jack Davis, endorsed by the Tea Party Coalition, also continued his campaigning This is his fourth congressional bid. Davis, Monday, was in the Rochester suburb of Greece, dismissing the polls which show badly trailing in the race.
"The only poll that I am interested is the one the voters will do tomorrow and that will put me in Washington. This is all smoke and mirrors," said Davis.
Green Party candidate Ian Murphy of Buffalo, who doesn't have car, has run a mostly electronic campaign that has kept him out of the public's view. Murphy is a writer for the Buffalo Beast. And he told WBFO'S Eileen Buckley that he is the only progressive candidate in the race.
"Ian, if you can, who are you in a nutshell?", asked Buckley.
I'm just a normal guy. I'm a blue collar guy. I've had dozens and dozens of just blue collar jobs. I know what it is like just to make ends meet. I'm just tried of seeing this country ruled by and for the rich," said Murphy.
Murphy says he will watch tonight's election returns from an "undisclosed bunker."
Murphy calls himself the "only progressive candidate" in the race. He told WBFO News he will watch election night returns from an "undisclosed bunker."