BATAVIA — A Democratic primary contest in a Western New York congressional race is intensifying, with one campaign targeting a rival’s past remarks on gun policy as a key point of contrast.
The campaign for Diana Kastenbaum on Monday criticized opponent Alissa Ellman over comments in a previous interview in which Ellman described herself as “pretty pro-gun” and suggested Democrats were “wrong” to over-regulate firearms.
Hugh Smyth, Kastenbaum’s campaign manager, said the remarks raise questions about Ellman’s alignment with Democratic voters and the party’s long-standing support for gun safety measures. He pointed to policies such as universal background checks, red flag laws, and restrictions on assault weapons as widely supported within the party.
Smyth argued that Ellman’s statements represent a departure from what he described as a core Democratic consensus on public safety, and called on her to clarify her position on gun legislation.
The Kastenbaum campaign framed the issue as central to the primary, emphasizing the importance of a candidate’s stance on gun violence and public safety as voters weigh their options.
Ellman’s campaign has not responded publicly to the criticism in the statement released Monday.
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