Support Stefanik’s re-election

But in campaigning for this office leading up to the 2014 election, Willsboro resident Elise M. Stefanik worked diligently to understand what concerned people in the north country the most. She then merged her policymaking experience as a White House staff member with her background in her family’s business and insights into regional issues to become the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

She is seeking re-election on the Republican line, and she has earned voter support. Her freshman term on Capitol Hill has been very impressive.

Already known among her Republican colleagues in office, Ms. Stefanik succeeded in being named to the House Armed Services Committee. This is a key assignment for a legislator with a vital military asset to protect.

And help protect it she did. Ms. Stefanik mobilized support from the entire New York congressional delegation last year to spare Fort Drum the troop reductions threatened as a result of sequestration.

Ms. Stefanik has been very involved as a legislator with military issues. She inserted language into the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act requiring the U.S. Department of Defense to develop strategies preventing social media from being used to recruit violent extremists. She also sponsored a provision in the act to increase joint research efforts by the United States and Israel to detect and destroy ballistic missiles.

She has used her background to benefit other issues of concern to constituents. She supports a bill to distinguish between productive and harmful regulations placed upon businesses. Known as the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act, the bill gives Congress more authority in approving regulations that could have an economic impact of $100 million or more.

Ms. Stefanik introduced the Precision Farming Act of 2016, which would offer financial incentives for broadband providers and farms. Service providers would receive a one-time $15,000 reimbursement for each line installed for a qualifying precision farming operation. Additionally, farmers who apply for loans to cover installation costs will have their applications prioritized through the Rural Electrification Act.

Ms. Stefanik is being challenged by Democratic candidate William M. Derrick, a retired colonel in the U.S. Army from Peru, and Green Party candidate Matthew J. Funiciello from Glens Falls, who owns a bread company. Both are engaging and offer impressive credentials. But they haven’t made a persuasive case as to why our incumbent House representative shouldn’t be re-elected.

We believe Ms. Stefanik has forged a good record on many legislative measures during her first term in office. She regularly seeks bipartisan support, which ensures that extremist leanings are minimized.

Many voters in the 21st Congressional District are comfortable with her stance on most issues and believe she has worked tirelessly on their behalf. We agree with them and urge north country residents to send Ms. Stefanik back to Capitol Hill on Election Day.