U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, won re-election to a fourth term in Congress on Tuesday, besting Democratic challenger John Plumb in all but one of the 11 counties in the 23rd Congressional District.
In Cattaraugus County, Reed outpolled Plumb 17,382 to 9,835, or 63.8 percent to 36.1 percent.
Across the district, Reed outpolled Plumb 149,439 to 107,673, about 55 percent to 39 percent.
The only county Plumb won was Tompkins County.
Reed first came to office in a special 2010 election, filling the last two months of the term won by Eric Massa, a freshman Democrat who resigned in the face of a sexual harassment probe. At the same time, he won a full two-year term against Matthew Zeller.
In a conference call with reporters, Reed thanked his supporters, saying he was “humbled by their support.”
With his family by his side, Reed said he would continue to bring the voice of the 23rd Congressional District to Washington.
“At the end of the day, we represent everyone, no matter how they voted,” he said.
Reed said he will remember this Election Day for another reason as well, as he went to the polls in Corning and his daughter cast her first ballot.
What was the key to Reed’s own success?
“Our whole team,” Reed replied. “Without them we can’t have the success we are enjoying tonight.”
The congressman said his future goals are to be accessible and to listen to people.
“I think there is a change coming to Washington, and we want to be part of it,” he said.
As a member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, fixing the tax code so it is “fair for everyone and competitive for the 21st century” is another of Reed’s goals. He believes that goal will soon be achievable.
What about the Affordable Care Act, which Reed has railed against in hopes of it being repealed?
Reed said he wants to replace President Barack Obama’s signature health care law with a program to drive down health care costs but keep such provisions as covering people through age 26 and pre-existing conditions.
Reed said there is a need to immediately replace it.
IN JAMESTOWN, Plumb issued a statement after conceding the election to Reed.
“This has been a long, uphill battle, and I’m very proud to say that I’ve woken up every day of this campaign to fight on our behalf,” he said. “Unfortunately, the votes have been counted, and today did not go in our favor.
“I’m proud to say that we ran the race I wanted to run. The race we all want our politicians to run. We ran our race with integrity and honor, and with a focus on the communities we seek to serve. Those are the values I ran our campaign with, the values that run deep in the Southern Tier, Western New York and the Finger Lakes.
“Thank you all for supporting me throughout this journey.”
