Mannion and Williams fight over tax policy, bail reform and abortion in first debate

On Tuesday night, voters in the 22nd Congressional District saw Republican Rep. Brandon Williams and Democratic state Sen. John Mannion face off in their first debate of the election cycle, hosted by the Syracuse Post-Standard. Despite their respectful and at times friendly rapport, the two are set up for one of the most closely watched and fiercely contested races in the nation.

Mannion is backed by organized labor groups like the influential New York State United Teachers, and Democrats view the House race as their best pickup opportunity in New York state. Williams boasts the support of Republicans across the country, especially when it comes to fundraising. Economic issues are likely to play a significant role in the race. Recent polling singles out affordability as voters’ biggest concern this year, and the Central New York district they are competing to represent has been plagued by a lack of investment and a stagnanting job market for some time.

During the debate, Mannion advocated for free school meals and providing tax relief through cuts and credits, which he said would keep more money in families’ pockets. Williams went on the offensive, blaming Democratic policies for the inflationary crunch felt by his constituents. Both candidates endorsed changes to the cap on the State and Local Tax deduction, with Williams calling for the cap to be raised and Mannion calling for it to be scrapped altogether.

“We have to end the SALT deduction cap that was clearly targeted towards New York state,” Mannion said. “It was punitively done, and we have to turn that over. That's step one.”

Williams defended Republicans’ overall support for tax cuts, arguing that reduced taxes will stimulate the economy and that New York’s relatively high state taxes hit middle-class families hardest.

“My opponent knows all about that, because he's part of the Albany system that has given us these high taxes,” he said, referring to Mannion’s tenure in the state Legislature.

Williams said that lowering the corporate tax rate would attract business back to places like the 22nd Congressional District. But Mannion argued that without the right corporate tax structure, residents will not necessarily benefit even if more corporations do move back to the area. He pointed out that even companies like Micron, which has been hailed for the influx of semiconductor manufacturing jobs its new facility is expected to bring to the Syracuse area, had to be held accountable.

Beyond economics, the candidates sparred over reproductive rights and criminal justice reform, with Williams highlighting Mannion’s support for bail reform as a state senator. “We really need to end cashless bail that my opponent has championed in Albany and these Raise the Age and HALT Act policies,” Williams said. “In fact, under the leadership in Albany, it is the best time ever to be a criminal in New York State, and that kind of support for criminals, lack of support for law enforcement, has to end.”

While Mannion advocated for expanding abortions protections following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Williams insisted that New York’s existing legal protections mean that voters need not fret over reproductive rights. The Mannion campaign has recently run ads suggesting that Williams would support a national abortion ban, which Williams denies. When Mannion suggested that Williams’ own record and past statements indicate support for an abortion ban, Williams simply called him a liar. 

Accusations of fibbing flowed naturally from both candidates, whether it was talking “out of both sides of their mouths” or sharing “brazen, bold lies.” But the race is still shaping up to be one of the less toxic campaigns in the state, and the two candidates were at one point able to commiserate over the shared woes of sink repair. 

“I know why plumbers use bad language,” Williams said, with Mannion adding, “My wife won't let me try to fix it anymore.” 

Election Day is Nov. 5, and early voting begins Oct. 26.