Fratto Challenges Tenney to 2024 Rematch

Mario Fratto is looking for a rematch against Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

The Geneva native and attorney has announced he’s looking to replace Tenney as the GOP’s nominee for the 24th congressional district which covers the vast majority of the Finger Lakes.

Speaking with Finger Lakes News Radio, Fratto cited her support for decisions like funding Ukraine and suspending the debt ceiling as proof Tenney doesn’t represent her constituents.

“I think she’s really been a disappointment to the constituents and I think they deserve somebody local who’s not going to let them down,” Fratto said

At the time Tenney was the representative for the 22nd congressional district which, at the time consisted of all of Chenango, Cortland, Madison, and Oneida Counties as well as parts of Broome, Herkimer, Oswego, and Tioga Counties. Fratto has repeatedly criticized Tenney for choosing to run in the 24th district after redistricting, calling her an outsider.

“We welcome tourists here in the Finger Lakes, but we don’t send them to Congress, especially Republicans with liberal voting records,” Fratto had said during his first bout with the Republican representative.

Fratto made his announcement one day after the eight Republicans and all present Democrats voted to oust Kevin Mcarthy as Speaker of the House after he worked with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown While Fratto said the timing was coincidental, he noted Tenney’s vote to try and save McCarhty shows what’s wrong with Washington DC, arguing that the majority of Americans don’t want big spending but politicians vote for what benefits them.

“It actually just seems like perfect timing because that vote and what took place was the epitome of what’s wrong with Washington DC… people like Claudia Tenney vote for their own best interests and place that above ours.”

Fratto challenged Tenney in 2022 in the Republican primary to represent the then-newly reshaped 24th district but lost the bid after receiving approximately 40% of the vote. Tenney would go on to defeat Democrat Steven Holden in the general election.

Finger Lakes Republicans will pick their nominee on June 25, 2023.

More information on Fratto’s campaign can be found at marioforcongress.com.