Campbell Conversations

In many elections across the nation this year, including the presidential election, Republican candidates over-performed relative to the expectations going in. That included the race for Congress in New York's 24th District. Polls showed Incumbent John Katko (R-Camillus) and Democrat Dana Balter in a dead heat going into the election, but Katko won the race by tens of thousands of votes. This week, Grant Reeher talks with Balter about what happened in her race and others.

The incoming Biden administration is expected to usher in many changes, both in the U.S. and abroad. This week, Grant Reeher speaks with James Steinberg, who served as Deputy Secretary of State in the Obama administration, and Deputy National Security Advisor under President Clinton. Steinberg currently serves as University Professor of Social Science, International Affiars and Law at Syracuse University.

Micaheal Atkinson is a native of Oswego County, and the former Inspector General of the Intelligence Community. He played a pivotal role in the events that led to President Trump's impeachment, having notified Congress of the existence of a whistleblower complaint that alleged President Trump had abused his power to solicit intereference in the 2020 presidential election. Atkinson was later dismissed by the president. This week, Atkinson talks with Grant Reeher about why he did what he did, his

This year, Americans started voting well before Election Day, and deciding the winner has extended well beyond it. This week, we'll recap elections from around the region. Joining Grant Reeher are Joanie Mahoney, former Onondaga County Executive, and newly announced President of SUNY ESF, and Syracuse University professor Chris Faricy.

Worries about the health of the American political system have escalated in recent years, and there are no easy fixes on the horizon. This week, Grant Reeher speaks with Syracuse University professors Shana Gadarian and Tina Nabatchi about the good, the bad, and the ugly for American democracy.

When Bob Antonacci won a seat on the New York State Supreme Court, he left the state Senate's 50th District seat vacant. The district covers parts of Onondaga and Cayuga counties, and includes parts of the city of Syracuse. This week, Grant Reeher moderates a debate between the two candidates looking to fill that seat. Democrat John Mannion lost to Antonacci in 2018. He's being challenged by Republican Angi Renna.

Democrats in New York are on the verge of winning a veto-proof majority in the State Senate, which could bring profound changes in the state's policies. This week, Grant Reeher moderates a debate between the two candidates running for New York's 53rd State Senate district, incumbent Rachel May (D-Syracuse), and Republican challenger Sam Rodgers.

Central New York has been spared some of the worst effects of the coronavirus pandemic, at least compared with areas downstate and across the nation. But can the same be said about the region's businesses? This week, Grant Reeher discusses that with Rob Simpson, president and chief executive officer of CenterState CEO.

Taxes have figured prominently in this year's presidential election, first in the primaries and now in the general election. This week, Grant Reeher speaks with Len Burman, the Paul Volcker Chair in Behavioral Economics and Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs at the Maxwell School Center for Policy Research at Syracuse University. Burman is also one of the leading experts in tax policy, and the author of "Taxes in America: What Everyone Needs to Know."

The arts have been especially hard hit during the coronavirus pandemic, and have been struggling to cope and respond. This week, Grant Reeher speaks with Steve Butler, executive director of CNY Arts, a nonprofit organization devoted to the advencement and support of the arts in the region.