Congressman Antonio Delgado wowed Schoharie High School students when he stopped by on his farewell tour Wednesday, fielding questions on how he got into politics, its impact on his family, how they can get involved, and yep, his brief career as a rapper.
The two-term Congressman has been gerrymandered out of Schoharie County, now part of the 21st Congressional District, represented by Republican Elise Stefanik.
Congresswoman Stefanik is facing a primary challenge from Democrats Matt Castelli of Saratoga and Matt Putori of Whitehall, with the winner representing the 21st beginning January 1.
Congressman Delgado told the SCS students that when he was their age, he never had a chance to meet or interact with the people representing him in Congress; it wasn’t until he was a little older that he started thinking about the impact he could have on government.
“I found my passion in college,” he said, and it turned out not to be where he started—in pre-med.
He went on to become a a Rhodes Scholar, graduating from Harvard Law School and becoming an attorney, and then dismaying his parents when he spent a few years couch-surfing in LA as rapper DA The Voice.
Rapping and Congress aren’t as different as they seem at first glance, he said; his rap career was a way to engage and empower young people.
“I wanted to find a way to tap into my voice and help galvanize people. To tell our stories and make it sound cool. To use music to make a difference in people’s lives.”
That’s also the kind of thinking he’s carried with him to Washington.
The 19th Congressional District is one-third Democrat, one-third Republican, and one-third independent, he pointed out.
“You have to figure out how to represent everyone,” he said. “This is my top priority: to listen and be transparent.
“What keeps me inspired and hopeful is as long as that energy’s there, we have a chance to make progress.”
Before the roundtable was opened to the floor, Student Government reps asked questions they’d worked on beforehand; Sophia Watson asked about the challenges of the job.
It’s difficult being in two places at once and away from his wife and twin boys three weeks each month, Congressman Delgado said.
Even when he’s home, he’s traveling to places like hospitals, schools, farms and small businesses, always listening.
When he’s in DC, his focus is on writing legislation for the three committees he serves on—Agriculture, Small Business. and Transportation and Infrastructure—and “tying the two together.”
SCS senior Margot Williams asked about what brought Congressman Delgado back to upstate New York.
His family, he said, and the fact that “If I was going to do this kind of work, it was obvious I needed to come home.”
Laden Scofield asked about what young people can do to influence government.
Vote, Congressman Delgado said.
“I don’t care how you vote, just vote,” he said. “Obviously, inform yourself. Figure out what you care about and mobilize around it.”