Democratic House candidate Matt Castelli (N.Y.) publicly asserts he will stand up for the rights of gun owners, but his campaign aides paint a different picture in private, as seen in a Zoom call obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Conflicting Messages on Gun Control
In the video, a Castelli campaign staffer informs volunteers that the candidate is for gun control, including bans on AR-15s and so-called assault rifles. This contradiction marks the second instance this week where a Castelli supporter has hinted at his support for gun ownership curbs.
Jennifer Mann, chairwoman of the Brunswick Democratic Committee, echoed these concerns in an email to supporters, noting, The issue of guns is an incredibly tricky one in this upstate district. I know a lot of us would prefer a stronger stance on guns, but he would absolutely lose if he took that stance.
A Pattern of Caution in New York's 21st District
Castelli's public stance against gun bans contrasts with his private campaign discussions, a pattern observed in New York's 21st district, one of the state's most conservative. In 2018, Democratic candidate Tedra Cobb privately supported gun bans but could not publicly disclose her stance due to electoral concerns, as reported by the Washington Free Beacon.
Castelli, running against Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, has repeatedly expressed support for the Second Amendment and gun ownership. However, his attendance at a March for Our Lives rally in June, which advocates for various gun control measures, including a national registry for gun sales and age restrictions, raises further questions about his positioning.
At the rally, Castelli supported a bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D.N.Y.) that restricts gun sales to individuals under 21 and enhances Red Flag laws. Castelli and his campaign did not respond to requests for comment.