(Cobb photo by Watertown Daily Times, Stefanik photo by Post-Star)

Democratic candidate for Congress Tedra Cobb said a recent story from North Country Public Radio, reporting the National Republican Congressional Committee may have hired up to five trackers shows that her opponent, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, is worried about her seat.

“National pundits say this is a safe seat for Stefanik, but her actions tell a different story,” Cobb wrote in a statement sent out Wednesday. “FEC filings show the NRCC hired five trackers to follow North Country Democrats. All of these trackers have professional ties to Stefanik.”

The story from NCPR on Wednesday looked at Federal Election Commission records for people the NRCC paid for “research payments consulting,” which was the designation used to pay Preston Scagnelli, a 17-year-old tracker who secretly videotape Cobb during the Democratic primary. Trackers are hired by campaigns or committees to record political opponents, although they often do it openly.

Scagnelli’s video caused a stir when it was made public. Recorded at a “Teens for Tedra” event, Cobb is heard on the video saying that she supports an assault weapons ban but cannot take that position publicly and get elected. Scagnelli is heard introducing himself as “Grayson” and saying his phone is dead and that he is not recording anything.

The NCPR reporters concluded that up to four other trackers besides Scagnelli were hired by the NRCC. Even though the NRCC hires people separately from specific campaigns, the story said that based on social media accounts and other research, all five trackers had some connection to Stefanik’s campaign.

The Times also reviewed the FEC filings, finding four people in New York’s 21st Congressional District, including Scagnelli, who were paid for “research payments consulting” by the NRCC.

Besides Scagnelli, the three others who received payments all appear to be college students or recent college graduates. Two of them are listed on Stefanik’s campaign FEC filings as having been paid for “personnel service/equipment.” The other does not appear to have been paid, but does list an internship with Stefanik’s campaign in 2016.

A spokesperson for the NRCC could not immediately be reached for comment. Asked about Cobb’s statement, Stefanik’s campaign spokesman Leonard Alcivar did not mention trackers, instead focussing on Cobb’s statements that Scagnelli recorded. No response from Stefanik herself was available.

In her statement, Cobb also criticized Stefanik for scheduling three televised debates but not being willing to attend a candidate forum on Oct. 18 tentatively located in Lake George.

“In an effort to keep voters in the dark, Stefanik is attempting to hold all debates in studios without her constituents being able to attend,” Cobb wrote. “It is all too clear that Stefanik knows she cannot talk about her voting record and win this election.”

In contrast, on Wednesday Stefanik’s campaign sent out a press release announcing a Labor Day push, campaign appointments and regional campaign offices in Canton, Glens Falls, Plattsburgh and Watertown.

“As we reach the crucial post-Labor Day stretch, I’m excited to announce our senior and regional campaign teams and the opening of our new field offices,” Stefanik was quoted as saying in the release.

The release says over 1,000 constituents have volunteered for the campaign, and Stefanik has received over 200 endorsements from local officials, including 17 Democrats.