Claudia Tenney

Claudia Tenney is a Republican politician serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 24th Congressional District. Born and raised in New Hartford, New York, she graduated from Colgate University in 1983 and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1987. Before entering politics, Tenney had a diverse career that included working as the only American employee at the Consulate General of Yugoslavia, where she served as an intermediary for the 1984 Winter Olympics. She also co-owned Mid-York Press, a commercial printing business founded by her family, maintained a private law practice, and hosted several radio and television programs. Tenney's political career began in the New York State Assembly, where she represented the 115th and later the 101st districts from 2011 to 2016. She was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016 to represent New York's 22nd District. After losing her seat in 2018, she regained it in the 2020 election following a protracted legal battle over ballot counting that lasted until February 2021. Due to redistricting, she began representing New York's 24th District in 2023, which includes a large portion of Western New York and the Finger Lakes region. In Congress, Tenney has been an active member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. She is a co-founder and co-chair of the Election Integrity Caucus and has been recognized for her advocacy for small businesses, veterans, and the agricultural industry. As a single mother of a U.S. Marine officer, she frequently highlights issues related to military families and national security in her legislative work.

Claudia Tenney's policy positions align with the 'America First' platform and traditional Republican values. On the economy, she is a strong advocate for tax cuts and deregulation, having supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to provide relief to middle-class families and small businesses. Her healthcare stance emphasizes the need for a system that increases competition and lowers costs, often criticizing the Affordable Care Act. Regarding immigration, she prioritizes national security and border enforcement, calling for an immediate end to illegal immigration and increased support for law enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP. In foreign policy, Tenney focuses on confronting the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, protecting American intellectual property, and promoting 'peace through strength.' She also takes a particular interest in the Western Balkans, advocating for stability in the region and calling out human rights abuses. Domestically, she is an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment, having previously sponsored legislation to repeal New York's SAFE Act. Additionally, she is a vocal proponent of election integrity, advocating for standardized voting laws and voter identification requirements.