Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s opponent Anthony Brindisi did not take all of the attention being given to Tenney and President Trump lying down.

Instead, he organized a counter fundraiser, albeit at a much smaller price point.

Our Jamie DeLine met up with him there.

Just blocks away from Hotel Utica were President Trump was fundraising for Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, her democratic opponent Anthony Brindisi held his own campaign fundraiser at the Chesterfield restaurant in Utica..

“We are so overwhelmed with the support that we are seeing here tonight. I think it good the President comes to an area. I just think its unfortunate people had to pay $15,000, $10,000 or even $1,000 to see him. So we wanted to highlight the differences between which is driven by small dollar contributions like the folks you see here, and my opponent’s campaign that is driven by special interest groups and the well connected,” said Anthony Brindisi, Congressional Candidate.

Unlike the Congresswoman’s event that was closed off to the public, Congressional Candidate Anthony Brindisi’s fundraiser was not. 

Costing only $10 dollars to get in, nearly 650 people came to show their support.

“We are both very enthusiastic about Anthony’s candidacy. Actually, my husband is a Republican, I’m a Democrat, but we both are supporting him because I think he has the needs of this area more on his radar than Claudia does,” said Terry and Catherine Hawkridge, Oneida County residents.

Needs that Brindisi believes he can help if he makes it to Washington.

“I have a track record of working with Democrats and Republicans in the state being independent and never being afraid to speak out against my own party. And that’s what we need more in Washington. People who are independent thinkers. People who are not beholden to big corporate special interest groups. This campaign in funded by small and we are going to keep that going right through Novembers,” said Brindisi.

Voters will be able to cast their ballots on November 6.