This past Tuesday, St. Bonaventure University hosted a political debate featuring the candidates running for State Senate in New York’s 57th District, Republican George Borrello and Democrat Austin Morgan. The event was hosted by Jandoli Institute Director and Associate Professor Dr. Rich Lee and senior journalism major Cameron Hurst at 7 p.m. in the Bob Koop Broadcast Lab in the John J. Murphy Professional Building.
The debate was recorded without a studio audience, and each candidate opened with a two-minute statement. Borrello focused on his ten years’ experience of getting things done. He ended it by saying, “I will fight hard to eliminate unfunded mandates, reduce taxes, and burn some regulations and give us more local control.”
Morgan, who is younger and less experienced, believes Albany is in need of some new ideas. He sees himself in the realm of the working-class people. He stressed the fact that he knows what it’s like living in a trailer and relying on each new paycheck.
“It’s past time that the working class had a seat at the decision-making table,” Morgan said.
When faced with topics like illegal immigration, Borrello made it clear that he does not support undocumented immigrants receiving the rights of legal citizens.
When Hurst asked how the candidates felt about the new law that allows undocumented immigrants to register for a driver’s license, Borrello replied, “I’m absolutely against driver’s licenses for illegal aliens, and also for free tuition for immigrants.”
He also stated his concern for these immigrants voting in America’s elections.
“Elections turn on very small numbers, sometimes as few as one or two votes,” Borrello said. “So to have illegal aliens registering to vote and voting in our elections could sway the results of votes throughout Western New York and Upstate New York, and that is something that should not be allowed.”
Morgan expressed that he does not care for this bill by saying he would not have voted for it. However, he also clarified that he refuses to engage in the demonization of immigrants.
“We need the federal government to pass meaningful common sense immigration reform,” Morgan said.
When it came to the bill itself, he stated, “It was misguided, it should have been replaced by the automatic voter registration bill that did not get passed out of Albany.”
Both candidates are aiming to provide more school funding and a better education system.
“Our children need to come first and not special interests,” Borrello said.
Morgan wants to legalize and localize marijuana, including home-grown marijuana, while Borrello is strongly opposed.
Borrello disapproves of gun control and believes the NY SAFE Act was a violation of the Second Amendment, while Morgan partially agrees. Morgan thinks several parts of the SAFE Act should be repealed, but pointed out the fact that hiding under a desk in school as a kindergartener should not have to be a necessary measure.
Borrello responded to Morgan’s comment by saying, “sadly, the only option that we’re giving our children is hiding under their desks because we’re trying to disarm our citizens.”
The night ended with the question of whether or not college athletes should receive compensation for the use of their name, image and likeness. Morgan responded, “if the school is profiting off of their performance, image and products, then I believe those students should see some of that financial return.”
Borrello stated his agreement, adding, “we should be focused really on how we can make college more affordable for every student, not just athletes that get full rides.”
One difference between these two candidates is their personal views of the past and future. Morgan is campaigning on what he plans on achieving, and Borrello is campaigning on what he has achieved already.
“We can either put the car in D and drive forward, or we can put it in R and go back,” said Morgan.
“As an elected official, I have taken on tasks that others considered impossible,” Borrello said.
Vanessa Donadio, News Assignment Editor
donadvj16@bonaventure.edu
