BROOKFIELD, N.Y. – Former Brookfield Town Supervisor John Salka has announced his candidacy for New York’s 22nd Congressional District in 2026.
Salka, 71, has worked as a respiratory therapist for 30 years and currently works as the director of cardiopulmonary services at Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton. Salka served as Brookfield Town Supervisor from 2007 until 2018. He later represented the New York State Assembly’s 121st District from 2019 through 2021.
New York’s 22nd congressional district is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives. It’s currently represented by Democratic John Mannion, D-Geddes. The district now consists of all of Madison and Onondaga Counties and parts of Cayuga, Cortland and Oneida Counties. It includes the cities of Syracuse and Utica.
According to Salka’s website, https://ift.tt/HsWZCNo, health care reform is one of the most pressing issues facing the families of Upstate New York and across the nation.
Salka’s health care platform centers on three key pillars:
– expanding preventive care through school-based health centers.
Salka supports increasing Medicaid funding for Article 28 organizations, including School-Based Health Centers, which provide essential preventive care to students directly within public schools.
These centers are especially important in communities where families may lack consistent access to pediatricians or primary care. By investing in these programs, we can ensure healthier futures for our children and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
– addressing health disparities in rural and underserved areas.
Salka supports RFK Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative to tackle the disproportionate rates of asthma, childhood diabetes, and obesity in both inner cities and rural communities.
These areas often face significant barriers to care, including poor transportation infrastructure and limited internet access for telemedicine. Salka said he will fight to increase federal support for transportation services and broadband expansion so every family can reach a doctor—whether in person or online.
– restoring medical literacy and trust in healthcare
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a serious breakdown in trust between the public and the healthcare system, he said. Many Americans, Salka said, are unsure of how to navigate their care, understand treatment options, or believe they’ll be treated fairly.
He believes we must rebuild that trust by launching public education initiatives that improve health literacy and restore confidence in providers. When people understand their health, they make better decisions—and that leads to a healthier nation.
Salka supports policies that allow funding to follow the student, empowering families to select schools that meet their unique needs — rather than being forced into failing institutions simply because of their zip code. This is especially critical in underserved urban areas where traditional public schools have struggled for generations. School choice, Salka said, ensures that education works for the child — not the other way around.
– standing up for students with special needs.
As a parent who has personally navigated the complexities of the special education system, Salka said that he deeply understands a one-size-fits-all approach to education leaves too many children behind. He will be a tireless advocate for students with disabilities, and upon arriving in Washington, will introduce legislation aimed at creating a more equitable, personalized and accessible education system for children with special needs and their families.
– revitalizing inner-city school infrastructure.
Salka knows firsthand the obstacles facing students in inner-city schools — he attended them himself. He recognizes that crumbling infrastructure undermines the ability of teachers to teach and students to learn. As a member of Congress, John will prioritize federal investment in modernizing these facilities, ensuring students in every neighborhood have access to safe, inspiring, and well-equipped learning environments.
– expanding access to vocational and technical education.
Salka’s own path — leaving high school, earning his GED, and finding success through vocational training — fuels his passion for expanding opportunities in skilled trades. He understands educational freedom includes diverse pathways to success. To that end, he will introduce the Trade Equity Act, a bold initiative to significantly increase funding for vocational and technical programs that prepare students for well-paying, in-demand careers that value both mind and hands.
