Morelle defends his term in office, Sadwick pushes for change

ROCHESTER, NY (WHAM) – Reps. Joe Morelle (D) and Gregg Sadwick (R) faced off on the debate stage and discussed their views on local and national issues.

In an hour-long debate held on Rochester’s CBS affiliate WROC-TV, Democratic incumbent Joe Morelle and Republican challenger Gregg Sadwick made their case to voters on several issues.

“I have always been guided by the core belief that when you are elected to serve the people you do not serve, public service is a promise to never stop serving the needs, hopes and dreams of our neighbors battle. ” said Morelle in his opening statement. “That’s why I fight so hard every day to fix what’s not working and to provide real solutions to the problems we face, whether it’s the cost of essential medicines and child care, protect access to reproductive care, and empower those in need—deserved benefits of our seniors and veterans.

Sadwick initially described himself as a political outsider.

“You will have the choice of voting for the politician who created the reality we live in today or someone who can help bring about the change we need for tomorrow,” Sadwick said. “Now, however, let me address some of his talking points. Project 2025 is not my platform. The federal government has no right to your body. The entry into the capital on January 6th was neither peaceful nor patriotic, and Joe Biden won the 2020 election. “I hope that in the rest of our time we can discuss the issues that will help make your life more affordable and our streets safer and ultimately put American taxpayers first.”

The candidates were questioned on topics ranging from abortion rights to public safety to foreign policy issues.

Morelle and Sadwick expressed differing views on a failed bipartisan immigration bill that would have given border patrol agents emergency powers for situations in which more than 5,000 people a day crossed the border illegally for a week.

“I think giving emergency powers to the president or the secretary of state is a very serious matter,” Morelle said. “To give a chief executive broad powers there has to be a number, and I’m happy to have a much smaller number, but we need something that’s also practical and sensible.”

Our target should be zero,” replied Sadwick. “I don’t know why 5,000 a day for a week is our goal. “To be honest, we’re better than that.”

On reproductive rights, Sadwick said he believes a woman has the right to choose, but disagreed with Morelle on whether or not that right should be codified in federal law.

“We want to push your votes to the lowest possible level,” Sadwick said. “There are 18 million in New York. They have more influence in New York than at the federal level. That’s why our system is set up to go down to the lowest possible level…Monroe County, where your vote is one of…1 million people.”

“The right to freedom of expression, the right to worship, the right to assemble. These are guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution,” Morelle said. “These are rights. This also applies to reproductive rights, and that is why reproductive rights should apply to every woman in America, regardless of where she lives.”

The candidates were asked about the federal government’s financial support for Ukraine.

“We’re trying to rebuild their infrastructure, but what about our infrastructure at home that has collapsed?” Sadwick said. “What’s really disappointing is that it’s been two years and our current president hasn’t picked up the phone to call Putin. Okay, why didn’t he do that? Well, we all know the reason. I mean, he was in cognitive decline.” .

“I wouldn’t be interested in picking up the phone and talking to Vladimir Putin,” Morelle replied. “He is an evil monster. He has launched an illegal invasion of war against the people of Ukraine… We benefit America’s interests around the world, including because we are involved in NATO. So if Putin is successful in Ukraine, then nothing can stop him.

Sadwick and Morelle also discussed crime and public safety as New York reported a decline in shootings. Sadwick expressed frustration at what he described as “soft on crime laws”. Morelle was disheartened by the current state of gun laws.

“We must do something about the terrible gun problem in America,” Morelle said. “Weapons often have something to do with drug trafficking. They protect the gun trade, but we have 400 million guns in America.”

“We need to free up our law enforcement officers’ hands again,” Sadwick said. “Neighborhoods love law enforcement. They love the police, okay, but they need the support.”