Tracy Mitrano appears to be the winning Democratic candidate in the 23rd Congressional District Democratic primary. Submitted photo

Tracy Mitrano, Democratic candidate for New York’s 23rd Congressional District in the House of Representatives, clarified Friday that the activists who allegedly harassed incumbent Rep. Tom Reed’s staff at a “Unity Rally” in Olean last week are not affiliated with her campaign.

She said she nor her staff know those who have had negative things to say about Reed, R-Corning. Mitrano mentioned that Citizens for a Better Southern Tier have not endorsed her and are a non-partisan group.

“Citizens for a Better Southern Tier is not affiliated with the Tracy Mitrano campaign,” she said.

A member of Mitrano’s staff was said to have warned activists against making heated remarks. Mitrano wanted to make sure that no members from her campaign were involved in the harassing behavior, and she says that only unaffiliated members made distasteful remarks.

Nick Weinstein, Reed’s campaign manager, said he was shocked by the “hateful rhetoric” that followed the “Unity Rally” online.

Mitrano believes Reed is trying to make the situation out to be harassment from her supporters. Gary McCaslin, a member of the Citizens for a Better Southern Tier group, was charged with petit larceny after stealing Reed yard signs. Mitrano said he was a supporter of Max Della Pia, who lost the primary election to Mitrano, and not her.

Having reacted to Reed’s press release that mentioned “extremism of our opposition,” Mitrano accused Reed of setting a honeypot, a term used to describe a trap set to detect certain behavior. Mitrano said Reed generated this kind of activity with Weinstein, who went to the rally and filmed those participating.

“This isn’t the first time Reed has squabbled with groups,” Mitrano said.