VESTAL, N.Y. -- Democrat Kim Myers has kicked off her campaign to represent Upstate New York in Congress the morning after she learned she'd be facing Claudia Tenney on the Republican line. Independent candidate Martin Babinec is also in the race. Myers says it doesn't matter who she faces, she is focused on strengthening the economy by bringing and keeping jobs in Upstate New York.
"We have got to where many of our grown children are no longer able to settle here near their families,” Myers said. “I want that to change. I want there to be opportunities for our grown children to settle near the family that they grew up in, because this is a beautiful place to live. This is a beautiful place to grow up in, and I'd like that for my grandchildren some day."
Myers is a lifelong Broome County resident and a current county legislator. She grew up working in her family's business, Dick's Sporting Goods, which she says taught her responsibility.
"I was raised in a family business where I learned the meaning of ethics, hard work, commitment, perseverance,” Myers said. “I know what it's like to fail. I know what it's like to get back up. I know what it's like to keep going."
Myers says she will take those characteristics to Washington, and says she hopes she will ultimately use them to create change in the eight county district.
"We have so many great things that are happening here in the 22nd and in Broome County, and I think we just need the leaders to make it happen,” said Myers, “And I want to be one of those leaders cause I think we just have a great thing going here in Broome County. It's not about what we used to have it's about what we do have and how we can maximize that."
Myers says she will do that by bringing common sense to Washington.
Republican Richard Hanna currently represents the 22nd District. He is retiring at the end of this term.