Oneida County elections 2022: Who is on the ballot for NY 119th Assembly District seat

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon and John Zielinski will face off in a rematch of the 2020 election, which saw the incumbent Buttenschon retain her seat.

The new 119th Assembly District includes the cities of Utica and Rome, as well as the towns of Deerfield, Floyd, Marcy and Whitestown.

Election Day is Nov. 8. Early voting in Oneida County is available from Oct. 29 through Nov. 6.

Here's what the candidates had to say about their politics and the challenges facing the region.

How to vote early:When, where and the rest of your early voting questions answered

Other local races:Here's who's on the ballot for NY 122nd Assembly District seat

The candidates are listed in alphabetical order and were given the same three questions. Their responses have been edited for clarity and length.

Marianne Buttenschon, Democrat/Conservative

Describe yourself and your political philosophy to voters

I’m a pragmatist intent on solving problems the people face here and now. I listen and will work to resolve the problem. I avoid partisan division because divisiveness does nothing to keep families safe, educate our children or put people to work.

I was raised by parents who believed in self-reliance, personal accountability and respect for others. I was also taught to be understanding and charitable towards those less fortunate. My mother and father ... believed as John Kennedy believed that "Here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.”

I don’t judge others, [I] treat everyone as I would be treated and respond to all regardless of social, economic or political position. I’m moderate, nominated by the Conservative and Democratic parties.

As a former educator and court employee, I’ve developed meaningful, lasting relationships with uniformed law enforcement, volunteer firefighters, first responders, farmers, business owners — among other organizations.

What challenges does the Mohawk Valley face which are best addressed at the state level, rather than the local or federal level?

The Mohawk Valley can’t progress without state government being financially committed to our cities and towns. This is especially true regarding economic development, education and public safety. Albany’s involvement should take the form of returning state revenue to the local taxpayers who provided the revenues in the first place. Regional decisions are best made by regional decision makers.

The state must return to us the dollars needed to incentivize new businesses to locate in Upstate New York. Albany must provide the investment necessary to our schools and let us determine the best way to teach our own children. Our local police departments, fire departments and networks of first responders are chronically underfunded and understaffed. Only Albany has the financial capacity to ensure they are funded appropriately.

What needs to change in Albany to ensure the state government is best serving the people?

We need to restore real democracy to the government of the State of New York. State legislators must push back against including policy in budget bills, as I have. We must roll back the rampant and cavalier use of executive orders issued by any governor, Democrat or Republican.

In the future, any declared state of emergency must have a definite termination date that can only be extended with the sanction of both houses of the state legislature. The state comptroller needs full oversight and audit authority over executive spending.

The redistricting process must be re-evaluated and reformed. The embarrassment that the Joint Commission on Public Ethics has become has to be remedied. Open primaries and enacting regulations making it easier for “third parties” to get on the ballot should become law. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of reforms but the beginning of a necessary discussion.

John Zielinski, Republican

Describe yourself and your political philosophy to voters

I am a CPA with over 35 years of senior executive experience in business administration and finance who wants to use that knowledge and experience to bring financial responsibility and social policy sanity to the state capital.

As a political moderate, I believe we must focus on the needs of the everyday citizens who want to raise families, support them through honest work, pay their taxes and contribute to the community.

Currently in New York state we spend too much time, effort and money on radical liberal causes such as the dangerous “bail reform” law or laws making us an attractive sanctuary state for illegal aliens by giving them taxpayer funded benefits.

Spending must be reduced in order to reduce taxes and make New York an attractive place to start or move a business to. The NYS budget went up $47 billion, or 27%, from two years ago. This spending is unsustainable and will bankrupt us.

What challenges does the Mohawk Valley face which are best addressed at the state level, rather than the local or federal level?

Our greatest challenge is the need for many more well-paying jobs in order to provide opportunities for our residents and their children. By reducing NYS spending and needless regulations we can reduce taxes and create a more favorable climate for business. NYS is the most highly taxed and regulated state in the nation, that must change. Please remember, businesses create jobs, not government.

Equally important is the safety of our communities. The dangerous so-called “bail reform” law has turned some communities into shooting galleries with law-abiding citizens held as virtual prisoners in their own homes, afraid to venture out.

The radical Democrat idea that if we are nicer to criminals then they will reform is idiotic. That is why they are criminals, they take advantage, period. We should be fair to all, but put our citizens’ safety first, not the feelings of criminals. Repeal “bail reform."

What needs to change in Albany to ensure the state government is best serving the people?

We need more balance in Albany; we need to fire Democrats in order to achieve that.

One-party Democratic control has been disastrous for our state. They have no incentive to be reasonable or compromise as long as they hold large majorities in the Assembly lead by radical downstate Democratic Assembly Speaker Heastie.

Assembly Speaker Heastie championed and rammed through laws such as dangerous bail reform that puts law-abiding citizens and police officers at risk, the HALT Act that endangers our corrections officers, excessive spending that contributes to the 9% inflation rate that is killing our family budgets, driving out businesses and wiping out retirement savings, and spending for benefits for illegal aliens such as welfare, Medicaid, unemployment benefits, free tuition and legal defense funds.

Marianne Buttenschon voted for Heastie as Speaker. In order for Heastie to go, Buttenschon needs to go. Less Democrats is better for us.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Election 2022: Q&A with NY 119th Assembly District candidates