Democratic leaders in New York's 26th District have unanimously picked Erie County ClerkKathy Hochul as their nominee in the special election to succeed former Rep. Chris Lee (R-N.Y.).
County chairs voted on Saturday to select Hochul after interviewing seven potential nominees a final time. Both Empire State and national Democrats believed Hochul was their best choice to make the May 26th election competitive in the Republican-leaning Western New York District.
County chairs voted on Saturday to select Hochul after interviewing seven potential nominees a final time. Both Empire State and national Democrats believed Hochul was their best choice to make the May 26th election competitive in the Republican-leaning Western New York District.
"I am running for Congress because I can do in Washington what I've done in Erie County - cut waste, hold down taxes, and help Western New York businesses create jobs for working families," Hochul said upon accepting the nomination. "I am looking forward to meeting residents throughout the district, and sharing my plan to get people back to work and get our economy back on track."
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) told Hotline On Call this week he had spoken with Hochul and called her an "outstanding" candidate but that he has yet to make the assessment to commit resources to the contest, saying he wants to see how the "field solidifies." The DCCC also sent their Northeast political director to the district shortly after Lee's resignation following reports he had replied to a personal ad on Craigslist with a shirtless muscle photo.
Meanwhile, Republicans have been pleased with how the contest is shaping up. Assemblywoman Jane Corwin won the GOP nod last month and has since gotten the endorsements of both the state Conservative and Independence parties - something past Republican nominees in the last several special elections in New York have failed to do. Since beginning her campaign in earnest last month, Corwin is already up with both radio and television ads in the district. "It's good to see that Kathy Hochul was able to find the Democrat Chair meeting in Geneseo, considering she doesn't even live in the 26th District," Corwin spokesman Matthew Harakal said after Hochul's nomination was announced. "It's no surprise that her record of raising taxes and fees resonated with Washington Democrats and now she's their handpicked candidate. A career politician who has routinely voted to raise taxes and fees is just what Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats want, but it's exactly what Western New Yorkers are sick of." Two candidates are working to gather signatures to get onto the ballot as independent candidates - and petitions to do so are due by Monday. Iraq War veteran David Bellavia, who tried for both the Republican and Conservative nomination, has said he will run on his own "Federalist line," and wealthy businessman Jack Davis, who has run for the seat three times as a Democrat, is now courting tea party support after being turned down by the GOP chairs. Davis has promised to spend as much as $3 million of his own money, and his spokesman said earlier this week his campaign is on track to collect the necessary 3,500 signatures and more to get on the ballot. In another twist, the Green Party has nominated Ian Murphy, the Buffalo blogger who prank called Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker posing as conservative philanthropist David Koch during the labor standoff there.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/03/democrats-tap-hochul-for-ny-26-special-election-19
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) told Hotline On Call this week he had spoken with Hochul and called her an "outstanding" candidate but that he has yet to make the assessment to commit resources to the contest, saying he wants to see how the "field solidifies." The DCCC also sent their Northeast political director to the district shortly after Lee's resignation following reports he had replied to a personal ad on Craigslist with a shirtless muscle photo.
Meanwhile, Republicans have been pleased with how the contest is shaping up. Assemblywoman Jane Corwin won the GOP nod last month and has since gotten the endorsements of both the state Conservative and Independence parties - something past Republican nominees in the last several special elections in New York have failed to do. Since beginning her campaign in earnest last month, Corwin is already up with both radio and television ads in the district. "It's good to see that Kathy Hochul was able to find the Democrat Chair meeting in Geneseo, considering she doesn't even live in the 26th District," Corwin spokesman Matthew Harakal said after Hochul's nomination was announced. "It's no surprise that her record of raising taxes and fees resonated with Washington Democrats and now she's their handpicked candidate. A career politician who has routinely voted to raise taxes and fees is just what Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats want, but it's exactly what Western New Yorkers are sick of." Two candidates are working to gather signatures to get onto the ballot as independent candidates - and petitions to do so are due by Monday. Iraq War veteran David Bellavia, who tried for both the Republican and Conservative nomination, has said he will run on his own "Federalist line," and wealthy businessman Jack Davis, who has run for the seat three times as a Democrat, is now courting tea party support after being turned down by the GOP chairs. Davis has promised to spend as much as $3 million of his own money, and his spokesman said earlier this week his campaign is on track to collect the necessary 3,500 signatures and more to get on the ballot. In another twist, the Green Party has nominated Ian Murphy, the Buffalo blogger who prank called Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker posing as conservative philanthropist David Koch during the labor standoff there.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/03/democrats-tap-hochul-for-ny-26-special-election-19