There have been a lot of issues thrown around in the race between Michael Bobseine and Andrew Molitor to see who will replace the retiring Andrew Goodell in the state Assembly.

Bobseine comes with a lengthy history of public service in Chautauqua County and legislative experience through his time as a Chautauqua County legislator. He has stated his support for Proposition 1 on this year’s election ballot, redesigning health care in New York state, amending the state’s Freshwater Wetlands Act to more clearly states activities exempt from state regulation, and gun safety that he said would keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them while protecting children.

Molitor, on the other hand, has said he is against Proposition 1 on this year’s election ballot, has said favors a change to the state Freshwater Wetlands Act that specifically states freshwater lakes shouldn’t be considered wetlands, opposes any change in the sales tax and wants further rollbacks of 2019 criminal justice reforms. He also comes with Goodell’s backing and a background as Chautauqua County’s first assistant district attorney.

But there is really only one issue that voters need to focus on – which of the two candidates more reflects the voters of the 150th Assembly district.

Bobseine has argued that it takes a Democrat to secure aid from the state. It’s a popular talking point, but one that holds little water. Jamestown has received additional state aid with Republican representation in the state Assembly. Dunkirk received a state-backed bailout loan crafted largely by Goodell. Tens of millions of additional dollars have poured into school districts in the district. Chautauqua Lake has two line items in the budget. Big projects like the National Comedy Center and the new Brooks-TLC hospital either have received or will receive state support.

The question for voters in this race is who do you best feel will articulate your views on the Assembly floor – Bobseine or Molitor? Given the demographics of the district, Molitor best represents the constituency of Chautauqua County.