SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. — The League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County recently moderated a debate for the candidates running in the upcoming Democratic primary for New York’s 23rd Congressional District.

It’s a district that includes all of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung and Tioga counties, as well as parts of Erie, Niagara, Schuyler and Steuben.

What You Need To Know

Primary Day is June 23

There are two democrats squaring off in the 23rd Congressional District 

The winner faces Republican incumbent Nick Langworthy

Candidates Aaron Gies and Kevin Stocker fielded questions from a packed audience on a wide range of topics like affordability, healthcare and economic development.

“The opportunity to have access. And it’s something they’re really hungry for. It really indicates to me how energized people are by this race and by the opportunity for positive change here in Western New York,” said Gies.

“I really enjoy connecting with the community,” said Stocker. “It’s an opportunity to talk to them. Learning what’s important to them is important to me.”

(Courtesy: Kevin Stocker)

Stocker works as an attorney in Erie County, who has run for state office in the past, but has not won a general election.

He also used to be a Republican, who says he’s now running for Congress to save America, protect democracy and enforce the Constitution.

“I don’t recognize the country that I was born in and raised in and educated in,” said Stocker. “What used to be wrong is now right. What used to be right is now wrong.”

He says issues important to him include fighting for hard working families and seeking relief on affordability issues like healthcare, utilities and groceries.

“So, they’re upset about a lot of different things. They don’t feel like this country is headed in the right direction. I believe I would be the best Democrat to fight on their behalf,” said Stocker.

Gies is a professor at St. Bonaventure University, who’s running in his first campaign for office. He says he also entered the race to help struggling families across the district.

“Watching so many of my friends and neighbor’s lives become entirely unaffordable — this simply doesn’t need to be the case,” he said. “This area has such wonderful potential.”

(Courtesy: Aaron Gies)

Gies says issues important to him also revolve around affordability, including things such as gas, groceries, utilities and healthcare.

He says he’s working to reclaim the common good, reverse course, and be independent of the current agenda.

“I can do that. Get back to a government that delivers results for people, a government that’s transparent and accountable and focused on making people’s live better, instead of reality TV show theater,” Gies said.

There are more than 522,000 active voters across the district, with more than 144,000 active Democrats and more than 209,000 active Republicans, per the New York State Board of Elections website (as of February 2026).

Gies is also on the Working Families Party line. Despite who wins the primary, both candidates say they’ll support the other in the November general election against Republican U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy.

New York’s primary elections will be held June 23. Early voting runs from June 13-21.