The tragic murder of a young woman in Syracuse, New York, has intensified the already heated political race between Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., and his Democratic challenger, John Mannion.
According to Fox News, Williams demanded an apology from Mannion following the murder, alleging that Mannion dismissed concerns about the migrant crisis that has now turned deadly in their districts.
Rep. Brandon Williams is currently running for re-election in a fiercely contested race. His demand for an apology stems from an incident where an illegal immigrant, Jhon Moises Chacaguasay-Ilbis, allegedly murdered Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza, a woman he knew from primary school in Ecuador.
The incident occurred in both Mannion's state senate district and Williams' congressional district, sparking widespread outrage and debate over migrant policy and crime in New York.
Williams highlighted Mannion's previous comments that dismissed Republican concerns about migrant busing and other related issues. "I demand an apology from John Mannion on behalf of the Central New York citizens that he called ignorant for being concerned that the migrant crisis would ever find its way into our communities," Williams told Fox News Digital. The congressman criticized Mannion for calling local voters ignorant and accused him of being out of touch with the community.
Chacaguasay-Ilbis allegedly suffocated Toaquiza and buried her body, turning himself into the police and being charged with murder and concealment of a corpse. This tragic event has been a catalyst for renewed scrutiny of Democratic policies, with Williams emphasizing the need for stricter border security and criticizing the current administration's approach.
The murder of Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza is not an isolated incident. Other violent crimes involving migrants have been reported in New York, including rape cases in Albany and Queens. In response, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has stopped accepting migrants after crimes linked to migrant hotels, further fueling the debate on migrant policy.
Williams criticized Democratic policies, stating that they are endangering communities:
This is a common sense issue. Voters in Central New York are concerned about crime in general because of cashless bail and raise the age policies that have come out of Albany. But in this case, the southern border plays a huge role in that these illegal migrants are being moved all over the country with taxpayer money and are now in our community.
House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik has also weighed in, mentioning the GOP's momentum in New York. Williams faces a tough re-election battle in a district that leans Democrat, making the issue of migrant-related crime a pivotal point in his campaign.
Williams has been vocal about the impact of far-left policies on the safety and security of New York residents. "Sadly, a young woman would be alive today were it not for these policies," he stated. He argued that the evidence of the dangers posed by these policies is clear and that Central New York voters have every reason to be concerned.
In contrast, Mannion has defended his stance, describing the concerns as misplaced. "It is just unbelievable to me, but I'm not surprised at the ignorance," he said in 2023. Williams countered by framing the November election as a choice between a secure southern border and funding free health care for illegal migrants.
Williams stressed the importance of common sense policies that prioritize community safety and affordability. "New York State is reeling from a Democrat supermajority in Albany, and the far-left policies that Kathy Hochul has championed and pushed through with a compliant state Senate and Assembly have wreaked havoc on New York State and even upstate," he added. He believes that voters are increasingly alarmed by what he describes as the far left's agenda.
As the re-election race heats up, the tragic murder of Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza has become a significant point of contention between Rep. Brandon Williams and John Mannion. Williams continues to demand an apology, accusing Mannion of being out of touch with community concerns about the migrant crisis and related crime. With other violent incidents linked to migrants occurring across New York, the debate over migrant policy and border security remains at the forefront of the political discourse. The outcome of this contentious race will likely hinge on voters' perceptions of safety, security, and the effectiveness of current policies.
