Victor Mendolia, the Democratic candidate for mayor of Hudson, New York, claims the Republican incumbent mayor William Hallenbeck is spreading HIV rumors about him, according to a statement by Mendolia. The HIV-positive activist has been living with the virus for almost 25 years. He recently joined the board of the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York. Mendolia claims his viral load is undetectable and argues that his health struggles are not a disadvantage to his candidacy.

To read the statement, click here.