Michelle Frazier is the Democratic candidate for the 51st District seat in the NY State Senate, a position currently held by Republican Peter Oberacker. Here are their views on the issues.

Health care

Frazier: Increase support for home health-care aids, mental health services and reproductive care. Improve public transportation systems so residents can access medical facilities and care.
Oberacker: Assist EMS squads with training requirements and increased recruitment. Focus on mental health by identifying barriers to services, thus reducing suicide attempts in rural communities.

Fracking

Frazier: Rural communities are the engine of New York’s clean energy future. Hopes to use cleaner energy alternatives.
Oberacker: Supports a cost analysis of renewable energy compared to other methods of electricity generation as a way to limit greenhouse gases.

Taxes

Frazier: Those in a position of wealth should pay their fair share of taxes.
Oberacker: Focus on infrastructure improvement, update public work fleets cost-effectively. Stay under the tax cap. All federal money should go to local government instead of being dispensed by Albany.

Reproductive care, abortion rights

Frazier: Strongly supports a woman’s right to choose. After a personal experience regarding reproductive care, she will fight to ensure doctors and families can make these decisions without prosecution.
Oberacker: Believes in the right to life, but with exceptions in cases of the health of the mother and sexual offenses.

Gun Safety

Frazier: Does not believe AR-15s are necessary for hunting or protection. Wants to implement more responsible gun ownership while staying within the Constitution.
Oberacker: Believes New York should support hunters and will defend the Second Amendment. Against the SAFE Act, which he believes was poorly implemented.

Housing Costs

Frazier: Affordable housing is a priority. Working to find solutions to short-term rentals, insufficient housing stock and homelessness through affordable housing alternatives. Supports sustainable building methods to save on costs such as heating.
Oberacker: Working to incentivize the construction of new, reasonably-priced housing to prevent people moving out of the state because housing is unaffordable.

Agriculture and Farming

Frazier: Because California and Midwestern states are suffering from fires and droughts, she believes New York can be the next bread basket for the country. Supports strong farming communities.
Oberacker: Supports the “No Farms, No Food Act” that will ensure farmers receive what they need after the pandemic to support the country’s food security.

Recreational Cannabis

Frazier: Though cannabis is now legal in New York, the roll-out of the permitting program has been challenging. Need to work toward a smoother implementation of the state policy.
Oberacker: Favors state regulation of the sale of cannabis, but voted against adult recreational cannabis use in 2021.