GLENS FALLS, N.Y. — Dozens of protesters rallied outside Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's offices Thursday, in a last-ditch effort to change the two-term Republican's mind on a healthcare repeal vote.
The effort was futile; Stefanik joined 216 of her GOP colleagues in repealing the Affordable Care Act and replacing it with their own American Health Care Act.
Protesters vowed that Stefanik would have to face the music when she comes up for re-election in November 2018. Among the group on Thursday was Patrick Nelson, a 27-year-old political organizer who is launching a Democratic campaign for Stefanik's seat next year.
"Get ready to talk about health care for the next 18 months," Nelson said. "Eighty-five thousand people have their lives on the line. This was the time to step up and put your district ahead of your party — and [Stefanik] is not doing that."
A tweet from Nate Silver, the editor of statistical website fivethirtyeight.com, noted that when Democrats passed their own health care bill in 2010, those members were hit with polling percentage decreases of 10 to 15 percent in the following midterm elections.
Stefanik and many of her fellow congressional Republicans could face tight midterm races in November 2018.