Democrat Mike Derrick of Peru, the only challenger so far to Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal announced today “is a bad deal for the North Country.”

Stefanik has supported “fast-track” authority on the TPP, which would push it through Congress with little debate.

“We only have to look at past unfair trade deals and their impact on our factories and communities to understand the economic devastation TPP will bring. We must stop this ‘Deal in Principle’ from being approved.,” Derrick said in a statement to the press.

Derrick, who served in the U.S. Army for 28 years, is concerned about what the U.S. and the North Country could lose if the deal is approved.

“This deal will give even more power to foreign corporations, even letting them challenge our federal laws. It will inevitably ship our jobs overseas, as countries with low wages, low labor standards, and low environmental standards get a leg up. North Country workers and businesses simply want a fair shake and a level playing field.

“If TPP isn’t stopped, Congresswoman Stefanik’s vote to ‘fast track’ the unfair trade deal may go down as one of the worst votes for North Country families. Stefanik chose the interests of her national Republican leaders over the economic well-being of the North Country,” Derrick said.