In a New York Times story about the race for New York’s 23rd congressional seat, Don Beachler, associate professor in the Ithaca College Department of Politics, commented on incumbent Representative Tom Reed’s use of the term “extreme Ithaca liberal” to denigrate his Democratic challenger, Tracy Mitrano.
“It offends Ithacans,” said Beachler. “But the fact is, Ithaca really is out of sync. Reed may lose by 30 or 40 points in Tompkins County, where Ithaca is located, but carry every other part of the district.”
Beachler is an expert in congressional politics, elections and voter turnout. He is the coauthor of two books in the “Winning the White House” book series, focusing on the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections.