A Waterloo man says he wants to represent the Finger Lakes in Congress. David Wagenhauser has announced he will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Congresswoman Claudia Tenney in the next 24th Congressional District seat election.
NY’s 24th Congressional District includes Cayuga, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Oswego, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates, and portions of Jefferson, Niagara, and Orleans Counties.
David Wagenhauser grew up in Spencerport, where he spent summers working on local farms. He went to college at SUNY Brockport and Syracuse University College of Law and served as a public interest attorney and Executive Director in Washington, DC. Wagenhauser has testified before Congress and worked to craft bi-partisan legislation. He also served as VP at his mother’s home care agency and served as an elected Village Trustee in Brockport.
Wagenhauser lives with his wife of over 25 years (Laura), in Waterloo. Their daughter works in NYC and their son is a Junior at Syracuse University. They are working to restore a 175-year-old home.
Wagenhauser launched his website (DaveforUpstate.com) and released a video to announce the kick-off of his campaign. “It’s time Claudia Tenney came home.” He continued, “Tenney has become more interested in fighting partisan battles, booking TV and radio time, and inciting social media outrage, than in working to solve the problems she complains about daily.”
Wagenhauser notes he offers a clear alternative to Tenney’s often combative, ultra-partisanship that is the “politics as usual” in DC today. “Instead of simply blaming others for problems, we need to be working to find solutions. That means finding common ground for the common good.” He added, “You don’t have to agree with someone to work with them and improve the lives of our neighbors.”
Wagenhauser seeks significant government reform. “They go in rich and come out richer,” he stated. “We need meaningful Congressional reform, including working to put an end to stock trading, an end to corporate financing of elections, and an end to gerrymandering.” He also called for the passage of term-limit legislation. “Washington is broken and needs leaders who will step up and lead by example.”
Are Social Security and Medicare endangered? “It’s not a threat, it’s a plan,” he said – referencing the Republican Study Committee’s stated intention to cut these programs. Tenney is a member of this group. Wagenhauser also acknowledged the importance of reducing the cost of prescription drugs. “Steps have been taken to get these costs down, but Tenney has fought reforms every step of the way.” He continued,“Tenney is largely bankrolled by corporate interests and PACS, including Big Pharma titan Pfizer.” Wagenhauser’s website details many of these transactions.
“I will fight for the hard-working women and men of Upstate NY. That means jobs that provide families with livable wages that keep ahead of inflation. I’ll support legislation such as the “CHIPS” act that will deliver tens of thousands of good careers to Upstate NY, giving opportunities for our kids here.” Tenney voted against that job-creating Bill.
“It has become clearer by the day that Claudia Tenney does not represent Upstate values – integrity, respect, civility, independence, and helping our neighbors,” Wagenhauser stated. “I invite everyone to join me as I run to reform a broken Congress, protect Social Security and Medicare, and empower our hard-working families to prosper.”
