To the editor:

Last year when Elise Stefanik voted over the objections of no less than 10 regional health centers to replace Obamacare with a law that would have denied 60,000 constituents’ access to affordable health care and cause local job losses, I realized that she was a different type of Republican. Though a lifelong Democrat, I respected former Congressmen McEwan, Martin and McHugh, who spent most of their lives in the North Country and who often put the interest of northern New York over party.

Also, a longtime resident, Tedra Cobb, came to the North Country as a freshman at SUNY Potsdam, married and chose to raise a family in St. Lawrence County. But Tedra did more than just raise a family. She founded the St. Lawrence Health Initiative, that provides preventive screening and follow-up care to hundreds of hard-working North Country residents who cannot afford health insurance. Later Tedra served on the board of the North Country Children’s Clinic, and the St. Lawrence County Legislature.

Unlike Elise Stefanik, who claims she cares about climate change and then votes to promote the use of coal, Tedra Cobb backs up her commitment to protect our environment by installing solar at her house and driving an electric car.

When Tedra in her ad says, “Hands off the North Country,” she is merely renewing a tradition that puts the well-being of constituents before party and outside special interests. We can believe Tedra because nearly all her fundraising has been from individuals, 87 percent New Yorkers. Less than 7 percent of Stefanik’s funds come from within the district.

It’s time to send someone to Washington who will work for us. On Nov. 6, vote for Tedra Cobb.

Richard Spencer

Clayton