One of the men hoping to be the Republican Party’s pick to represent New York’s 24th Congressional District will be out across the district next week garnering signatures.
Phillip Gioia, a retired Auburn pediatrician, plans to bike and walk along the Erie Canal, from Lewiston to Port Byron, going door to door to gather signatures for his campaign as he looks to replace incumbent Congresswoman Claudia Tenney on Capitol Hill.
He’ll begin the over 100-mile trek on Sunday in Lewiston, heading across the parts of Niagara County within the 24th Congressional District. The following day, he’ll be in the Village of Holley. From there, he plans on making it to Newark on Tuesday. Leaving Newark, Gioia will then take the Empire State Bike Trail to Port Byron, continuing on the old Erie Canal path to Weedsport. From Weedsport, he will return to Auburn, his hometown that is no longer part of the 24th.
Speaking with Finger Lakes News Radio, Gioia said the reason for making the trip is to talk to voters across the vast district, explaining his platform and hearing their concerns and questions.
“I’m interested in what people have to say,” said Gioia, “and getting some exercise and fresh air while I’m at it.”
Gioia describes himself as a traditional Republican who believes more moderate Republicans, as opposed to Trump-supporting or MAGA Republicans, need to be in office. Even if he doesn’t win the GOP’s nomination, he said he hopes his grassroots campaign will reinvigorate moderates in his party, inspiring them to run for office.
Gioia needs to collect 1,250 signatures from registered Republicans by April 1 to appear on the ballot. If he doesn’t achieve the requisite number by that deadline, he added that he plans to stage a write-in campaign.
Anyone wishing to meet Gioia along the trip is encouraged to contact him at 315-209-3407.
Gioia isn’t the only Finger Lakes Republican hoping to win his party’s support over Tenney ahead of the November election. Mario Fratto has challenged Tenney to a rematch of their 2022 Republican primary.
Following redistricting, Cayuga County Democrats have endorsed David Wagenhauser as their candidate to flip the district blue in November.
The GOP primary will take place June 25 with the general election scheduled for November 5.
