UPDATED: Sept. 17, 2017 at 11:33 p.m.

A Syracuse University professor has launched a campaign for the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., in congressional midterm elections next year.

Dana Balter, a visiting assistant teaching professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, announced her candidacy at the Westcott Cultural Fair on Sunday.

“The people I love, the country I love, the values I love are all being threatened and I cannot stand idly by,” said Balter, 41, in a statement posted to her campaign website.

Balter is an organizer for the CNY Solidarity Coalition, a grassroots group that opposes President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Her campaign platform focuses on universal health care, “providing an equitable fully-funded education for every child” and criminal justice reform, according to Syracuse.com.

The assistant teaching professor supports Medicare-for-all, per Syracuse.com. She also wants to protect natural resources and “responsible stewardship of the Earth.”

Katko, an SU alumnus who defeated Democratic challenger Colleen Deacon in 2016, has held two terms in office representing New York state’s 24th Congressional District since 2014.

The congressman helped launch a House of Representatives suicide prevention task force on Friday, according to the Auburn Citizen.

Earlier this year, Katko split with party leaders to vote against the Republican health care bill aimed at dismantling the Affordable Care Act.

The chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said the committee will still emphasize that Katko has supported ACA repeal efforts previously, according to Syracuse.com.

“I hear from so many people who are frustrated, angry and scared,” Balter said on her website. “They are feeling threatened by our current administration and ignored by our current representative.”

Balter’s expertise focuses on education policy, public finance and government accountability. She attended the University of Connecticut as a graduate student, according to the website.

“I truly understand the kinds of battles that families are fighting every day and the need for humane government policies that can help them,” Balter said on her website.

The story has been updated with appropriate style.

Published on September 17, 2017 at 10:01 pm

Contact Sam: sfogozal@syr.edu | @SamOgozalek