For the last 72 hours, Christopher Collins has been in heavy rotation on the news programs, as the media savants and erudite pundits do deep analysis of the federal indictment against the guy representing the 27th District.
You’ve seen the stories. You’ve heard the dirty details. But most of it is really “news.” Did you know that on Capitol Hill, congressional staffers have been joking for months that Christopher is the congressman voted “Most Likely To Go To Jail?” I’ve said it before, Christopher is such a Swamp Creature, it’s a wonder he hasn’t grown gills.
There is one person who has not been mentioned much in all these reports, a person very important to this story. Me. I’m running against Christopher Collins for the 27th District seat. You’ve seen Christopher’s indictment; now take a look at the guy on the other side.
My name is Nate McMurray. I was born and raised in North Tonawanda and graduated from North Tonawanda High School. My dad died when I was three years old. My mother raised me and my six siblings working as a church custodian, a Toys “R” Us cashier, and cleaning doctors’ offices at night. We were poor.
I graduated from SUNY Buffalo, but not after starting at Erie Community College. I paid for school by working as a night clerk at a hotel, cleaning swimming pools, and doing about a dozen other low paying jobs with no benefits, lousy pay, and zero opportunities for advancement. After college, I went to law school, at Hastings College of Law, in San Francisco. Yep, San Francisco. The only thing I remember about politics is meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger. I sure didn’t know Nancy Pelosi.
I also studied law in Asia. I speak fluent Korean and passable Mandarin. My wife is from Seoul. We have two sons. But guess what? Overseas I chaired the America Chamber of Commerce Committee for Foreign Investment. Also proud to have helped represent the US Embassy, the Special Olympics, and work with the USO.
My career has taken me to Beijing, to Shanghai, and to South Korea. My heart has always remained in western New York. After a decade away, I moved my family back home and took a job with a large corporation, based in Buffalo.
Three things struck me about western New York on my return: there is no place on Earth more beautiful than here; there is no group of people more hardworking and generous of heart than western New Yorkers; and the politics in this place are mostly a disaster, full of self-serving, malignant arrogance.
My wife and I bought a house on Grand Island. Grand Island had been dominated by the same crew of unimaginative elected officials for twenty years. I ran as a Democrat against a powerful, well-funded Republican incumbent. My campaign resources consisted of about $37 and my kid brother in a Spider-Man costume. I won.
As Town Supervisor, I’ve worked to bring millions of dollars in new investment to Grand Island. We’ve partnered with the state government to build a beautiful new visitor’s center, which will showcase the products of local farmers and artisans. We’ve started work on a walking/bicycling trail that is transforming a little-used stretch of poorly maintained road into a showcase. And we’ve done it all while creating budget surpluses and avoiding tax increases.
No one is mentioning my name, but over the last few days I’ve heard myself referred to as “a progressive activist” and “a left-wing radical.” I’m a Democrat who’s won election in an overwhelmingly Republican community, who has succeeded by sticking to budgets, cutting wasteful government spending, working with businesses to stimulate economic growth, and maintained a firm standard of personal and professional integrity. And I mow my own lawn.
That hardly sounds like Che Guevara. I don’t think Che even owned a lawnmower.
For six years, Christopher Collins has been the Invisible Congressmen. This summer, it’s been easier to spot black bears in the 27th District, than to catch a glimpse of Chris. It took a federal indictment for Christopher to make a public appearance. He usually only shows up when there’s a fat campaign contribution to pocket.
This is not about Democrats and Republicans. It’s about Right and Wrong. Christopher Collins is a politician without principles. He’s dirty, crooked, and worst of all, remorseless.
This district deserves better. I’ll be better.
*If you want better food, go to the “Hole in the Wall” restaurant in Perry. Hole in the wall it is not! Great food! And if you come in uniform, you eat FREE!