Former candidate Stuart Amoriell calls on fellow Dems to support Blake Gendebien in NY-21

Letter to the Editor, North Country Now, August 31, 2026

From Stuart Amoriell: "For those who heard me speak on the campaign trail and listened to my discussions about the issues I care deeply about, it is probably not surprising that I have some disagreements with my former primary opponent and now Democratic nominee for Congress in NY-21, Blake Gendebien. These disagreements are, at times, frustrating.  Nevertheless, there is still much we can agree on, which is not something I can say about the alternative in this election.

Because of this, I will strongly advocate for Blake during his campaign and, on November 3rd, cast my vote for him. I do not believe that this represents a sellout of my beliefs, as some have suggested, or of those who supported my campaign and fought alongside me. I want to explain why, and why I believe everyone who supported my campaign and the values I fought for should now extend that support to Blake. Whatever our policy differences, I do not doubt that Blake loves this country, cares about Northern New York and wants to serve it honestly.  

In a nation of over three hundred million people, each with their own beliefs, convictions, and experiences, no candidate will ever perfectly reflect what any one of us believes. That is not a flaw in the system; it is the democratic system itself. Pretending otherwise sets us up for disappointment in every election. Both our nation and North Country communities face challenges that cannot wait for political perfection. I see every day the heavy toll working families pay. We cannot afford the luxury of ideological purity when our neighbors are struggling just to make it to the next day. We cannot afford to continue being a nation that terrorizes our neighbors and ignores the rule of law. We must sometimes choose realism over idealism when we seek to build the future we desire.

And here is the reality: right now, we need to take back control of Congress. Not because every Democrat will agree on every issue if we do, but because Congress has a constitutional obligation to hold the executive branch accountable and to end the litany of presidential abuses, and it cannot fulfill that duty without control and the votes. That constitutional accountability does not happen through op-eds, statements, or social media posts; it happens only on the floor of the House of Representatives, with a Democratic majority willing to exercise that responsibility.

We also need to pass critical legislation. Legislation that ends ICE's abuses and builds a fair immigration system, one with strong borders that still respects the dignity of all people and remembers we are a nation of immigrants. Legislation that rebuilds our international relationships and ends war crimes, human rights abuses and atrocities in the Middle East. Legislation that ends this administration’s wars of choice.  Legislation that lowers costs for working families and delivers universal healthcare as a basic human right. Legislation that makes the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share and ends politics for sale to the highest bidder. Legislation that reflects the values this country was built on, and not the values of an administration fueled by hate, bigotry, and racism.

None of that happens without control of Congress. That is a simple reality, and it sometimes means electing people who do not perfectly represent our values, beliefs, or vision for this country. I understand that discomfort because I have felt it myself. But we do have real leaders in Washington, like Congressman Raskin, and they need enough votes behind them to achieve our shared goals after the midterm elections. I believe Blake would be one of the votes our leaders need to win this fight.

And let’s be realistic: elections are binary. Sitting out or casting a protest vote does not produce a better candidate and can hand the outcome to the other side. Primaries are for the idealistic fight, which is why I stood up for the solutions I believe our nation desperately needs. In a general election, it is a practical choice about which direction the district and the country will take next.

To move forward, we must accept that real political change requires both patience and strategic focus.  When we refuse to compromise, we do not punish the establishment; we punish families who cannot afford another year of the same.  We punish immigrants living in terror right now.  We punish our neighbors who are rationing their insulin. We punish our neighbors living in fear of what winter fuel prices will bring. We punish the women whose healthcare rights are under attack. I am unwilling to do so in the name of idealism or value-purity.

I was probably as close to this election as you can get. I watched Blake work this district, county by county. I sat next to him and had private conversations at forums and events. I know what he cares about, and I know he will be one of the votes our leaders will need in our continued struggle. That matters more right now than perfect alignment on every issue. What matters is having a majority in Washington to hold this administration accountable and to pass legislation that actually helps the people of the North Country.

That is why I am voting for Blake Gendebien on November 3rd and asking everyone who stood with me during the primary to do the same."

Photo courtesy of NBC5