The fight for the 23rd Congressional District is between three candidates. The district represents portions of 11 counties along New York's Southern Tier. Here's a look at the three candidates on the ballot and where they stand on the biggest issues facing the region and the country.
Republican incumbent Rep. Tom Reed has been in office since 2012. He also spent time as the mayor of his hometown, Corning. Reed says his top priority is getting a vaccine for the coronavirus.
"When that vaccine gets approved, I will lead by example. I trust the scientists, I believe that we should get that widely distributed. I'll be the first one there if anyone has a question about it, to take that vaccine. Because that's the ultimate solution," said Reed.
The Democratic candidate Tracy Mitrano faced off with the incumbent once before. Her focus is on jobs for the district, as well as how a coronavirus vaccine will be distributed.
"We need representation of people who will stand up and say the people who need it, the communities who need it, the municipalities and schools who need it, we're there. But let's stop giving half-a-trillion dollars away to special interests," said Mitrano.
The coronavirus impacts everyone's lives and they each have a way they want to approach it.
"Addressing people who have the disease, as well as our first responders, our hospitals, our medical staff, all the way across the board. In other words, address the public health crisis. And then we have to make sure that our municipalities are still going to be in place," said Mitrano.
"Making sure we're networking with hospitals, the health networks, the nursing homes. Making sure we're communicating with the businesses, making sure we're communicating with our local officials, state officials, and making sure that the businesses know what resources are there," said Reed.
Addressing education for Reed means discussing high tuition costs in higher ed. For Mitrano, it means universal pre-K, and lower interest rates for college. She is a teacher, and designed a cybersecurity certificate program for a university.
"So you've got communities that are blessed like Ithaca and Corning with very, very good schools. But a lot of others don't have those same benefits. I think we need to look into why and then begin to address those differences and create a more level playing field," said Mitrano.
"Making sure the kids have access to remote learning. So making sure that broadband is there for schools in K-12 and making sure that broadband is there for our telemedicine needs. And making sure that becomes a permanent policy of out healthcare delivery in America," said Reed.
When it comes to climate change, Reed wants a tax policy to allow for energy innovation, and Mitrano backs presidential candidate Joe Biden's plan.
"Overall the Biden plan looks like a good start. And the main idea of it is that we have something where we're planning it out. Instead of just taking it on a day-by-day basis. Then we can begin a transition that is orderly," said Mitrano.
"We're going to allow the innovation of America to produce the next technology be it solar, wind, geothermal, all the alternatives. But it also includes fossil fuels, to do it better there when it comes to things like natural gas and other developments," said Reed.
Libertarian candidate Andrew Kolstee is also running for the seat. He's a website developer, graphic designer, and genealogical researcher. His campaign did not immediately return a request for comment for this story.
