Congressman-elect Antonio Delgado rode the victory train into Middleburgh Sunday to thank supporters and constituents, vowing to fight for them all when he starts in Washington on January 3.
“It’s not blue or red or Democrat or Republican,” Mr. Delgado told the crowd of about 100 people in the packed Green Wolf Brewery.
“It’s about representing the district and getting things done...”--something that he admitted will be a challenge given the issues in Washington.
The crowd for the Volunteer Appreciation event at the Green Wolf Brewery started filing in at about 2:30.
By the time Mr. Delgado arrived at 4, there wasn’t room to move.
Rosemary Joyce and Janet Sand, both of Cobleskill and who made phone calls for Mr. Delgado’s campaign, were among the first to arrive.
And they were almost giddy.
“It was one of the best campaigns I’ve ever seen,” Ms. Joyce said. “He has a wonderful personality and a great message and I’m just thrilled that he won.”
So, of course, was Schoharie County Democratic Chairman Cliff Hay.
“Antonio’s going to do great things for us as a Congressman,” he said, likening him to Congressmen Paul Tonko, who represented the 19th District before redistricting, and Mike McNulty, who retired in 2009.
“He’s a brilliant, engaging young man with a long future ahead of him.”
Mr. Delgado grew up in Schenectady, where his parents both worked for General Electric—something that earned him a shout-out Sunday from GE workers in the crowd.
A graduate of Colgate College and Harvard Law School, he lives in Rhinebeck with his wife, Lacey, and their twin sons.
Mr. Delgado defeated first-term Republican Congressman John Faso to win his two-year seat—something that had Sharon Springs resident Ann Adams wondering what comes next.
“I want to know what he expects from us, what he’s going to do,” Ms. Adams said talking with friends before Mr. Delgado’s arrival.
“The term is only two years. We can’t just sit back and celebrate. This has to be an ongoing conversation.”
Ms. Adams had a chance to ask Mr. Delgado her question personally as he made his way through the Green Wolf, exchanging handshakes and hugs with fans and posing for selfies after some formal remarks.
“Let me tell you, it was quite a thing, as you know,” he said of his win. “I know you felt it.
“But it wasn’t so much left or right, it was something else deeper. Morality. Values. Vision…
“There were times we were tested,” he said to laughter and cheers. “And when you’re hit, sometimes you want to hit back. But we won because of people like you. We won on principles.”
Though he didn’t win November’s race in heavily-Republican Schoharie County, Mr. Delgado laughingly said he didn’t hold that against Sunday’s crowd.
“Thank you for your work,” he said. “It did make a difference. This place will always have a special place in my heart.”