Press release
Congressional candidate Nate McMurray held an emergency press conference in Genesee County in support of the first responders, military members and law enforcement personnel whose work has been derided by Donald Trump and Chris Collins. “My allegiance is to Western New Yorkers, not fat-cat donors and foreign dictators,” said McMurray.
The press conference, one of three stops in the District, countered the harsh and unfounded criticism of law enforcement institutions by Trump and particularly by Collins, who only cares about wealthy donors, Washington insiders and foreign autocrats like Vladimir Putin.
Nate was joined by vets and first responders who are shocked by President Trump’s loyalty to Putin, betrayal of our own intelligence community, and Congressman Collins’ lockstep support of actions and rhetoric that up-end democratic institutions.
Ontario County Sheriff candidate Kevin Henderson said “I have worked on the front lines for 34 years. I never imagined that the integrity of law enforcement and first responder agencies would be challenged by politicians for such crass political gains. Nate McMurray supports the men and women who put themselves on the line throughout Western New York and the country. He’s my choice for Congress.”
Retired FBI administrator Bernard Tolbert adds: “On a daily basis the brave men and women who make up the United States Intelligence Community agencies, as well as those in our dedicated law enforcement agencies, unselfishly go about the business of gathering and providing our elected officials and those charged with protecting the national security interest of the United States with the necessary critical information. It is troubling and discouraging that our President has chosen to diminish the fine work done by these U.S. patriots and instead to side with the unsupported statements of Vladimir Putin, our most strident enemy. I vigorously support Nate McMurray and all those who stand side by side in recognizing and advocate for the outstanding work done by those in our Intelligence Community.”
Jason Ashton, Firefighter, Desert Storm veteran and former Victor New York mayor brings the message home, “As a long time resident of Western New York who is a father, a veteran, and firefighter I want someone in Congress represents our values. I believe Nathan McMurray will bring the change needed to right the country again.”
Vincent Golbeck, Retired Town of Canandaigua Law Enforcement professional, was adamant, “In my 32 plus years as a law enforcement professional, I have learned that the professional capabilities of local to federal agencies rely on the legitimacy of policing. Legitimacy of law is increased by fostering trust between law enforcement agents and the community they serve. It is a sense that laws are just and legitimate that causes people to honor them and respect law enforcement. It is a disgrace that the President and Congressional representatives who support him are creating disorder in community trust with disgraceful contempt of those that are doing their best to preserve order.”
Yesterday, Chris Collins drew harsh criticism locally and nationally when he fell into lockstep with the President’s bizarre fialty to Vladimir Putin rather than supporting United States law enforcement institutions. Collins joined with Congressman Tom Reed in calling for an end to the Special Counsel investigation of the Trump campaign’s possible collusion with a hostile foreign power.
Nate McMurray stands firmly behind the rule of law and supports the investigation, a legal process which he believes acts as a necessary check on power.