Batavia, N.Y. --- The race for New York’s 27th Congressional District could end up being one of the closest in the state, if not the country. All the polls indicate a statistical tie and with some projecting an actual tie or a three-point lead or less for one candidate.
Republican Chris Collins enters the race with a huge voter registration advantage as the newly drawn NY-27th is considered the most Republican-leaning district in New York.
Democrat Kathy Hochul enters as the incumbent after winning national recognition last year during a hard-fought Special Election victory in May for her current seat in the NY-26th.
"We knew it would be tight I mean a lot of people said when they saw the re-districting, this is now the most Republican district in the State of New York, they said I'd be toast, “ Rep. Hochul said following a meet the candidates event in Batavia. “They said there was no chance I could compete in a district like this. To be tied with one week to go? I think that's pretty good.”
"Really I think a lot of people have made up their mind,” Collins said after the same event. “We've always said it would be close but really I think the energy, I can feel the energy when I'm out in the community.”
The NY-27th now includes parts of Erie, Ontario, Monroe, and Niagara Counties as well as all of Wyoming, Genesee, Orleans, and Livingston Counties.
"People want Congress to stop the fighting and start working together they want someone who understands that this gridlock is paralyzing our country and our economy and it's affecting our ability to get people back to work,” Rep. Hochul said when asked what issue continues to surface when she talks to voters.
"I talk about core values and, as I said here, a belief in smaller government and local decision-making,” Collins said when asked the same question. “Washington does not have the answers.”
A final poll in this race is expected to be released on Sunday but candidates know the voters, not polls, will decide this race on Tuesday. When asked which returns they’ll be watching as results roll in that night both agreed Erie and Niagara Counties are key given the amount of voters in each.
Collins said he’d also be watching Livingston County. Hochul said, “Keep an eye on Wyoming County.”
