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After Loss, Sunquist Stays Busy, Hopeful

Eddie Sunquist

The polls had closed, but voting results were not fully realized nor finalized the night of the New York State 23rd Congressional District Democratic primary election. Candidate Eddie Sundquist was left in limbo at his election viewing party inside his campaign headquarters on Second Street, and all he could do was watch.

The inside of the campaign building was warm with the immense amount of family, friends and supporters there. Many who came to support would often pile out onto the street for fresh air. Sundquist would pop outside and dip back in to check for an update on the TV screen connected to a laptop feeding election results. Slowly, the votes began to funnel in with Sundquist’s probability of winning decreasing with each update, yet the Jamestown local remained optimistic.

“I’m encouraged by the turnout across the district,” he told The Post-Journal as the night grew darker and his chances spread thinner.

Surrounded by friends and family, Sundquist hovered around outside joking and laughing with those who came to support him. He maintained his optimism holding out until the election was ruled “too close to call” on June 26. But Sundquist was not among the top finalists.

Candidates Tracy Mitrano and Max Della Pia were set to fight it out over absentee ballots over the next few weeks as each county tallied the remaining votes.

Eventually, Mitrano was ruled the victor on July 3 and will now oppose Rep. Tom Reed in November.

While Democratic voters in the district were held in suspense unsure of who would take on Reed, Sundquist was already moving on.

“I just jumped back into it,” he said over a month after the election.

Sundquist continues his work the law firm at Lewis & Lewis where he works as an attorney. His work primarily covers personal injury workers compensation and real estate and estates. Lewis & Lewis currently operates in Jamestown, Olean, Buffalo, Batavia and Niagara Falls.

The former Democratic candidate began his campaign over a year ago in June 2017. Sundquist drew parallels from being a politician to working as an attorney. At both jobs, he gets to fight for people.

Sundquist grew up in the area and attended Jamestown High School where he graduated in 2007. As a kid, he admitted that running for office, in some form, crossed his mind.

“I did think about it when I was younger,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to help people and work with people. And I’ve gotten a chance to, not only as an attorney and as a teacher, but running for office brought forth a lot of incredible things. You meet so many wonderful people along the way and you learn about the different aspects of life especially here in the southern tier.”

While Sundquist won’t be helping people as a congressman, he can help in a similar capacity as an attorney.

Sundquist said he doesn’t hold grudge and regrets nothing about his campaign that ended in defeat. Going into election night, Sundquist’s team felt they had a real chance at winning. But two months removed from the fateful night, Sundquist focused on the positive.

“It was incredible that evening to see so many individuals who came just to support. We were so packed we were spilling into the street and that was an incredible feeling,” he said.

Mitrano defeated Sundquist in Chautauqua County – his home county. While Sundquist won the Jamestown area, he said Mitrano appealed to college professors and women voters.

“(Mitrano) had a large base there and I think that was good for her,” he said.

Sundquist said he fully endorses Mitrano in the upcoming election although he disagrees with some of her views on issues. Views on healthcare and student debt are areas where the two Democrats clash. While they both agree that there is an issue in both areas, they disagree about how to deal with them. Regardless, Sundquist is fully in support of Reed’s opponent.

Throughout his campaign, Sundquist spoke about the Southern Tier and Western New York not having a voice in their own district and state – a feeling he continues to hold on to.

“I think Ms. Mitrano was chosen to be that voice for people here,” he said. “I’m excited to assist her and the Democratic party and moving that forward. I think it’s time that we do have a voice here and whether that’s focusing on Reed or focusing on local election, I think both are incredibly important in order to move Chautauqua County forward.”

Reed became the representative for the 29th District in 2010. After state redistricting, much of the 29th district fell into the 23rd district. Since then, Reed has defeated all democratic opponents. Most recently, Reed defeated John Plumb in the 2016 election, winning 56 percent of the vote.

While representing the district for the past eight years, Sundquist believes more can be done.

“I think Reed has left, and written off Chautauqua County and most of the Southern Tier for higher aspirations and higher goals,” Sundquist said.

Sundquist views the 2018 election as a great year for the Democratic party to have an impact. He said the goal of the party should be attracting the unaffiliated voters.

“I think we’ve got an opportunity because we’re still seeing a blue wave across this country and I think more than any time before we have an incredible shot to take (Reed) out,” he said.

But in the mean time, Sundquist’s support for the party remains while he works at Lewis & Lewis and maybe occasionally enjoys a local winery or brewery.

As for the possibility of running for office in the future, Sundquist didn’t deny the possiblity.

“It’s always on the back burner,” he said, but maintained his current focus is on the 2018 Election.

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