SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Sammy Khubani, owner of Sammy’s NYC Deli and Grill, handed out free smash burgers and fries Tuesday night to attendees at a meet-and-greet with RJ Lenhart, Republican candidate for Onondaga County sheriff.
Lenhart is challenging Democratic incumbent Toby Shelley in the Nov. 3 election.
Khubani said he thinks bringing people together at events like these are important because they help show the positives in his community. He said his father owned a deli in Brooklyn that regularly hosted community-wide events.
“That’s what we do for our community,” Khubani, who runs the deli with his two sons, said.
The parking lot of Sammy’s NYC Deli and Grill, located in North Syracuse, was full, while customers were eating and chatting inside. Khubani handed out free smash burgers and fries to each person that walked through the door.
Lenhart and his team set up a table with business cards and bracelets near the drink area of the restaurant. Lenhart was talking to people throughout the deli while they ate their food.
Tim Kelly, a Republican candidate for the 127th Assembly District, and Kailee Buller, a Republican candidate for New York’s 22nd Congressional District, also made an appearance at Sammy’s.
“I think events like this give us the opportunity as candidates and residents of the community to get out and to know our neighbors, to learn about businesses, to talk to small business owners, to support them, and get out into the community that we want to serve,” Kelly said.
“There is nothing more important than hearing from residents in the community,” Buller said.
These events give candidates the opportunity to speak to real people, while also bringing attention to a local business, noted Khubani.
“One hand washes the other,” he said.
Lenhart and Kelly took pictures and made videos with Khubani to promote his deli. Sammy’s and the Lenhart and Kelly campaigns also took to Facebook to promote this event. Additionally, Sammy’s was posting Instagram stories as the event went on showcasing the complimentary food.
All three of the candidates at this event are Republicans.Their Democratic opponents Shelley, John Mannion and Al Stirpe were not invited.
Early voting for the Nov. 3 election opened on Oct. 24 and runs until Nov. 1 at select locations. The Onondaga County Board of Elections has information on voting, polling locations and early voting.