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THE ISSUES Budget YES Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I would not condone a man being told that he could not have a legal, safe vasectomy any more than I would condone a woman being told that she could not have a legal, safe abortion."
STEVE JAMES (D) District 22 (Rural east--Glens Falls; Saratoga Springs)
BORN: Feb. 2, 1952, Mount Vernon, Ohio EDUCATION: Princeton U, A.B., 1974 FAMILY: Wife, Sheran RELIGION: Episcopalian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Dairy co-owner; actor POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 1 Main Street, General Delivery, Ancramdale 12503. Tel.: 518-329-9696
Despite his lack of political experience, James jumped into the race to fight what he considers the extremism of incumbent Gerald Solomon, especially on the assault-weapons ban. He also favors a $10,000 tuition tax deduction and a $1,500 tax credit for families working to put a child through college. James advocates cutting waste and eliminating duplication and says his skills as an entrepreneur and dairy owner will aid him in a district where agriculture and small business are the backbone of the economy.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "This isn't a career ... for me; this is an idealistic fight, a fight that I feel I had to make."
GERALD SOLOMON (R) District 22
BORN: Aug. 14, 1930, Okeechobee, Fla. EDUCATION: Siena College, 1949-50; St. Lawrence U, 1952-53 FAMILY: Wife, Freda; five children RELIGION: Presbyterian MILITARY: Marines, 1951-52 OCCUPATION: Insurance executive POLITICAL CAREER: Warren County legislature, 1968-72; New York Assembly, 1973-78; U.S. House, 1978- ADDRESS: 21 Bay Street, Glens Falls 12801. Tel.: 518-761-1053
A high-octane conservative and chair of the House Rules Committee, Solomon wanted to run for the Speaker's gavel in 1994, but yielded to his friend Newt Gingrich. In a heated exchange on the House floor this year, he invited assault-weapons-ban advocate Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) to "step outside." He takes good care of his district, though, and his odds for a 10th term are good--the district is only 23% Democrat.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: [Addressing Patrick Kennedy] "My wife lives alone five days a week in a rural area in upstate New York. She has a right to defend herself when I'm not here, son, and don't you ever forget it."
SHERWOOD BOEHLERT (R) District 23 (Central--Utica; Rome)
BORN: Sept. 28, 1936, Utica EDUCATION: Utica College, B.S., 1961 FAMILY: Wife, Marianne; four children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Army, 1956-58 OCCUPATION: Congressional aide; public relations executive POLITICAL CAREER: Oneida County executive, 1979-82; U.S. House, 1982- ADDRESS: P.O. Box C, Utica 13503. Tel.: 315-733-8825