Corwin Makes Campaign Stop in Rochester

Jane Corwin made a campaign stop Friday night in Rochester, appearing at the Monroe County Conservative Party's annual dinner.

Corwin discussed a pair of issues which have served to tighten up the Congressional race in the 26th District, the recent You Tube video of the altercation between her Chief of Staff and Tea Party candidate Jack Davis, and Medicare reform.

Of the You Tube video, Corwin said she has now seen it and believes Davis was at fault.  "My Chief of Staff was standing there yelling out questions and Jack took a shot at him, and I don't think that's appropriate behavior for a candidate for Congress," she said.

Corwin said she was unaware her staffer planned to confront Davis, but wouldn't say if she disapproved.  "He was on his own time and that's his decision," she said.  "I don't think me as his employer, it's for me to tell him how to spend his time after hours."  How the video will impact support for Corwin or Davis is unclear. 

The same cannot be said for Medicare reform.  Corwin and other Republican around the country who support Congressman Paul Ryan's plan to scale back Medicare benefits for seniors beginning in 2021 have been getting hammered by their political opponents who say the plan will destroy medical coverage for people over 65.  Corwin disagrees.  "I am trying to protect Medicare," she said.  "I'm trying to keep it around for future generations."

Under the Ryan plan, people 55 and over will received their full Medicare benefits once they reach eligibility in 2021.  People under 55 who have paid into Medicare through the years, would receive a reduced level of benefits.  Corwin said the amount the individual would have to cover would be based on their wealth.  She also believes doing nothing would spell the end for Medicare.  "At the end of the day, we're facing a $14 trillion deficit, and like I said, according to President Obama and the Board of Trustees this program will be bankrupt by 2024 if we don't take action now," said Corwin.

Davis and Democratic candidate Kathy Hochul do not support the Ryan plan.  Davis does not have an alternative plan, Hochul has suggested other cost cutting measures, including aiding companies trying to bring generic drugs to the marketplace.

Twenty-two percent of voters in the 26th District are seniors, but Corwin does not believe the election outcome will hinge on the Medicare issue alone.  "Certainly Medicare is very important to the seniors in the District, but I'm also hearing from a lot of people that jobs are very important," she said.

Corwin, Hochul, Davis and Green Party candidate Ian Murphy are all running to fill Chris Lee's vacated seat in Congress.  The special election is set for May 24.