(Photos provided)

As former North Country Congress member Bill Owens officially endorsed fellow Democrat Tedra Cobb for his old job Tuesday, a spokesperson for incumbent Rep. Elise Stefanik responded by calling Cobb “anti-police, anti-military, pro-rioters and looters.”

Cobb has not made any public statements in support of rioters or looters, or in opposing police or the military in their standard duties. She did recently tweet that President Donald Trump and Stefanik’s “idea of ‘ending lawlessness’ involved tear-gassing and firing rubber bullets at American citizens.” Cobb also also said it would be unconstitutional to use the military against Black Lives Matter protesters in American cities, as Trump has threatened to do.

Madison Anderson, who serves as Stefanik’s spokesperson for both campaign and policy matters, did not provide evidence for the accusation and did not immediately respond when asked what evidence she had to support it.

Owens, of Plattsburgh, said Stefanik, a Republican from Schuylerville, has “become party focused, ignoring a large portion of her constituents.” Owens said Cobb, on the other hand, “worked across the aisle to pass a tough ethics law, to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and to help struggling families with home heating assistance.”

Cobb is a former St. Lawrence County legislator and a 30-year resident of Canton. Owens also praised her for serving as a volunteer firefighter and for starting a community health agency.

“Tedra is a formidable opponent for this seat and has a proven track record of getting things done in this community,” Owens said.

Anderson’s response mocked Owens for falling short of 50% of the vote in his three congressional victories and for endorsing three Democrats who previously lost to Stefanik.

Anderson also mocked Cobb as “Taxin’ Tedra.” Stefanik’s claim two years ago that Cobb voted 20 times to raise taxes has been shown to be mostly false, but Stefanik and her campaign staff continue to use the nickname.

Anderson also noted that Stefanik has been rated as one of the top 5% most bipartisan members of Congress, according to the Lugar Center.

Republicans have a voter-registration advantage in New York’s 21st Congressional District, which Stefanik represents. She has drawn both praise and criticism for supporting Trump on issues ranging from impeachment to Black Lives Matter protests.