Stefanik opposes Trump impeachment, announces position in campaign email
Hours after Democratic leaders in the U.S. House announced the launch of a formal impeachment investigation targeting President Donald Trump,...
Sep 25, 2019 — Hours after Democratic leaders in the U.S. House announced the launch of a formal impeachment investigation targeting President Donald Trump, North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville) announced she "does not support impeachment of the President."
Announces position as part of re-election campaign
In a sign of just how political this issue is likely to become in the 21st district House race, Stefanik made the announcement not through her official congressional office, but in a dispatch from her re-election campaign.
In the email, Stefanik quickly pivoted from concerns about Trump and the growing Ukraine controversy to spar with Democratic candidate Tedra Cobb (D-Canton). Stefanik once again used a denigrating nickname for Cobb and called her opponent a "failed, far left candidate."
The Congresswoman sits on the House Intelligence Committee, which has oversight duties that will almost certainly give it a key role in impeachment proceedings, but she said "the real question" is whether Cobb supports Trump's impeachment.
In her statement, Stefanik said she supports "the President's decision to release the entire transcript of his call with the Ukrainian President to the American public," describing it as a move toward transparency. [Read Rep. Stefanik's full statement below.]
Stefanik has repeatedly declined to answer NCPR's questions about the Trump-Ukraine issue.
Where North Country Democrats stand
NCPR sent a message to the Cobb campaign asking for her position on the Trump impeachment inquiry, but hasn't yet heard back.
Meanwhile, a Democratic congressman who represents a small portion of the North Country, Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica), has stated that he opposes impeaching Trump.
Speaking last week, Brindisi told Politico that he views the process as a distraction from Congress's more pressing duties.
“It’s very frustrating for me — someone coming from a district that was one of the districts that helped get us into the majority — having so much focus on things like impeachment or other issues that are divisive,” Brindisi told Politico.
According to the New York Times, his position remains unchanged.
Stefanik statement, sent by her re-election campaign
"I strongly believe in the importance of transparency. I support the President’s decision to release the entire transcript of his call with the Ukrainian President to the American public. I do not support impeachment of the President. The real question is where does my opponent - failed, far left candidate Taxin' Tedra Cobb - stand on the impeachment of President Trump given today's announcement of support by Democratic Leadership?"
