New York Dem vying to replace Stefanik trashed Border Patrol, corrections
Blake Gendebien, the Democratic candidate set to replace outgoing Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik in upstate New York, has come under fire for disparaging comments made in a resurfaced interview. Gendebien, the owner and president of Twin Mill Farms in Lisbon, New York, since 2002, was selected by the 15 Democratic chairmen of NY-21 to run in an eventual special election for the congressional seat.
The Republicans have quickly condemned Gendebien as a “far-left Democrat,” pointing to his past remarks about U.S. Border Patrol, corrections officers, and local American laborers. In a 2014 interview, Gendebien expressed frustration with the labor market in upstate New York, claiming that corrections officers lacked self-worth, local workers had drinking problems, and were involved in child custody disputes.
Gendebien also criticized U.S. Border Patrol for profiling and apprehending illegal immigrants, recounting an incident where one of his farmworkers was taken into custody. He mentioned bailing out an illegal immigrant for $10,000 on Christmas Eve to ensure help on the farm over the holiday. Additionally, Gendebien highlighted the advantage his family’s Spanish-speaking ability gave them in training foreign workers on the farm.
The New York GOP Chair Ed Cox called Gendebien a “radical Far Left Democrat” and accused him of supporting Joe Biden’s open border policies. Cox emphasized Gendebien’s comments about local workers and Border Patrol as evidence of his unsuitability for the congressional seat. However, the Democrats championed Gendebien as an authentic voice that will fight for sensible solutions and lower costs while securing the borders.
In response to the backlash, Gendebien’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The special election timeline for New York’s 21st Congressional District remains uncertain as Rep. Elise Stefanik awaits a Senate confirmation vote for her nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The race to fill her seat promises to be hotly contested, with Gendebien’s controversial remarks adding fuel to the political fire.
