Franklin County Legislator Paul Maroun has joined the race for Republican Rep. John M. McHugh's congressional seat. Maroun, who also works as counsel to Republican state Sen. Betty Little, told CQ he is equally or more qualified than other Republicans interested in the seat, which is due to open up when McHugh is confirmed as secretary of the Army.
President Obama nominated McHugh to the post June 2, setting up what is likely to be a competitive special election battle to succeed him.
Among his top credentials, Maroun on Monday pointed to his experience in the Naval Reserves, his work helping administer the operations of the St. Lawrence Seaway, where he served as a congressional liaison, among other tasks, and his work in the state Capitol as an aide to both Little and state Sen. Ron Stafford.
Other Republican names being floated include Robert Taub, McHugh's chief of staff; Assembly members Will Barclay and Dede Scozzafava; state Sen. Joseph A. Griffo; Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne; Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak; and Michael F. Joyce, the head of Hargrave Custom Yachts.
Among the Democrats being mentioned are state Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine; Syracuse attorney Daniel J. French; state Sen. David J. Valesky; Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell; 2008 nominee Michael P. Oot; John Rhodes, who considered a 2008 run; and former McHugh challenger Robert J. Johnson.
Though McHugh is not expected to be confirmed for more than a month, Maroun said he is already in the process of contacting county chairs, who will vote to determine each party's nominee. New York does not hold primaries for special elections, though there is an outside chance Gov. David A. Paterson could hold off calling a special election and allow the race to go on the ballot on Election Day 2009. In that case, a primary would be held.
Maroun said he expected Republicans to perform better in the 23rd District special election than they did in the special election race for the neighboring 20th District race, which Democrat Scott Murphy narrowly won in March. He blamed the party's loss there on a faulty nomination process, in which two party chairmen sought to "dictate the candidate," without consultation with other potential candidates or party activists. Little, Maroun's boss, was one of the politicians passed over for the nomination.
"I think we're going to have a much more open process," Maroun said of the 23rd District race, which he said would foster a better candidate and ultimately benefit the Republican party.
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Comments
Add me to the growing list. I ran in 1994 and I'm ready to win this time around.
FYI: Griffo, Barclay, Valesky and Taub (all R) have dropped or never entered - they are no-go.
My link at http://www.politicalrapids.blogspot.com
Homepage later.
Posted by: Eyepublius
| July 7, 2009 1:35 PM
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