David Wagenhauser

Press Release:

The FEC released fundraising totals for NY-24. Rep. Claudia Tenney’s, numbers showed:

• About 340k raised for the 4th Q 2023 and $1.1 million for fiscal year 2023
• Tenney’s “Victory Fund”  brought in an additional $290k for the year
• $200,000 of the Victory Fund was from a billionaire energy investor and over $70k from another
• Of Tenney’s total take, over 70% was from Big Corporations, Corporate PACS,  lobbyists, and their officers

“This is just wrong,” said David Wagenhauser, who is running to unseat Tenney. “We work for the people signing our paycheck - the people signing Tenney’s check are not the people of NY-24; they are Pfizer, billionaires, bankers, and Wall Street elites,” he said.

“Tenney’s fundraising totals won’t tell you who will win the election, but a review of her donors will tell you who’s got their money's worth and how she will vote this year,” Wagenhauser stated.  

He pointed to Tenney’s previous votes for Big Pharma (she voted against price caps on insulin for diabetics and other efforts to make prescription drugs more affordable); her votes for Big Insurance and against covering people with pre-existing conditions and to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), that would have left millions uninsured; and her votes to cut tax rates for billionaires and Big Corporations, causing the national debt to skyrocket.

While raising big PAC money, Tenney’s campaign also spent huge sums: $845 thousand dollars last year. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars to slick DC consulting firms and $750 meals at exclusive DC insider haunts such as the Capitol Hill Club show just how out of touch Tenney has become and the respect she shows for other people’s money.” Wagenhauser continued, “They go in rich, they come out richer.”

Wagenhauser’s fundraising totals for 2023 were also released yesterday.  They showed he raised over $6k in a very short time after his Christmastime launch. He noted he is significantly above that amount now.  He also noted that unlike Tenney, his campaign will not accept money from Big Corporations, Corporate PACS or lobbyists. “We are working for the people of our District, and will fight for our neighbors, not Wall Street, not K Street lobbyists and not Big Pharma.”

“I can guarantee you that we will be outraised and outspent by Tenney.” he said, “But we will not be outworked or out-organized, or beaten in November by a career politician who no longer represents the interests or values of the people of this District.”  

He concluded, “Tenney once campaigned on fighting for people, not PACS. Her FEC filings and the video I am releasing today tell a different story.  She’s changed and the lines she’s crossed tell us who she’s really fighting for.”

Press release:

David Wagenhauser announced today that he is challenging Representative Claudia Tenney for New York’s District 24 Congressional seat in 2024. Wagenhauser, who grew up in Upstate NY, has served as a Public Interest/First Amendment Attorney and Executive Director for a public interest group in Washington, DC. He was the Vice President of his family’s home care business for 15 years and served a full term as an elected Village Trustee in Brockport, NY.  

Wagenhauser launched his website (DaveforUpstate.com) and released a video to announce the kick-off of his campaign. “It’s time Claudia Tenney came home.”  He continued, “Tenney has become more interested in fighting partisan battles, booking TV and radio time and inciting social media outrage, than in working to solve the problems she complains about daily.”   

Wagenhauser notes he offers a clear alternative to Tenney’s often combative, ultra-partisanship that is the   “politics as usual” in DC today.  “Instead of simply blaming others for problems, we need to be working to find solutions. That means finding common ground for the common good.” He added, “You don’t have to agree with someone to work with them and improve the lives of our neighbors.” 

Wagenhauser seeks significant government reform. “They go in rich and come out richer,”  he stated. “We need meaningful Congressional reform, including working to put an end to stock trading, an end to corporate financing of elections, and an end to gerrymandering.” He also called for the passage of term-limit legislation. “Washington is broken and needs leaders who will step up and lead by example.”

Are Social Security and Medicare endangered?  “It’s not a threat, it’s a plan,” he said - referencing the Republican Study Committee’s stated intention to cut these programs.  Tenney is a member of this group.  Wagenhauser also acknowledged the importance of reducing the cost of prescription drugs. “Steps have been taken to get these costs down, but Tenney has fought reforms every step of the way.” He continued,“Tenney is largely bankrolled by corporate interests and PACS, including Big Pharma titan Pfizer.” Wagenhauser’s website details many of these transactions.    

“I will fight for the hard-working women and men of Upstate NY. That means jobs that provide families livable wages that keep ahead of inflation. I’ll support legislation such as the “CHIPS” act that will deliver tens of thousands of good careers to Upstate NY, giving opportunities for our kids here.” Tenney voted against that job-creating Bill.   

“It has become clearer by the day that Claudia Tenney does not represent Upstate values - integrity, respect, civility, independence and helping our neighbors,” Wagenhauser stated.  “I invite everyone to join me as I run to reform a broken Congress, protect Social Security and Medicare and empower our hard-working families to prosper.”