Beth Parlato, a former Darien town justice, is running for 27th Congressional District
Photos by Tom Rivers: Beth Parlato met with leaders of the Orleans County Conservative Party on Tuesday evening at Hoag Library in Albion.
Candidate says only 13 Republican women serving in House of Representatives
ALBION –Beth Parlato is joining what is expected to be a growing field of candidates for the 27th Congressional District.
Beth Parlato is pictured with Paul Lauricella, chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party.
Parlato, a former Darien town justice for 12 years, said she differs from the field in that she is a woman and isn’t a career politician. She announced her candidacy last month and said she will force a primary against Chris Collins if he remains a candidate for the Republican Party.
But Parlato, 52, expects Collins won’t be running again. His federal trial on insider trading charges is scheduled for February 2020, a time when candidates are working to get petitions signed and party support shored up.
“You need a representative in Congress you can be proud of,” she told leaders of the Orleans County Conservative Party on Tuesday evening at Hoag Library. “It’s unfortunate our congressman is in the situation he is in.”
Parlato was the second Republican candidate to declare a candidacy for the 27th. State Sen. Chris Jacobs was the first. State Sen. Rob Ortt may also enter the filed, and Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw also is exploring a candidacy.
Parlato told the Conservative Party that David Bellavia remains a wild card, whether the recent Medal of Honor winner will run. If he does, she isn’t backing out of the race.
Nate McMurray, a Democrat who lost a very close race to Collins in November, announced he is running again for the seat.
Parlato said she is a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump , especially his views on immigration, protecting the border with a wall and growing the economy.
“Trump is a disrupter,” she said. “Everyone hates it, the Republicans and Democrats.”
Beth Parlato, seated next to Jack Lusk, says many career politicians are eyeing the 27th Congressional District.
She works as a family law attorney in Erie County. She is concerned about the breakdown of families and “the crazy stuff going on in our culture.” She said she wants to take her passion as an advocate for children and families to D.C.
The House of Representatives only includes 13 Republican women. Parlato said the Congress needs more voices from strong, conservative women.
“We need to have a seat at the table,” she said. “Right now, we don’t.”
Parlato has been an occasional guest on Fox News the past 3 ½ years. She said she is a “conservative activist” with Moms for America, promoting traditional conservative values.
She said she supports term limits for elected officials, with no more than 12 years in office.
“It’s time for new blood,” she said. “That’s why we have a swamp.”
Paul Lauricella, Conservative Party chairman in Orleans County, said the party won’t be making an endorsement for a while. He appreciated Parlato meeting with the local party leaders.
