Another GOP Hopeful in New York 25

By Emily Cadei | November 18, 2009 7:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

New York's 25th District seat, held by freshman Democrat Dan Maffei, is beginning to attract a crowd of Republican hopefuls.

Businessman Mark Bitz, a former turkey farm owner, has filed the paperwork for a run and told the Syracuse Post-Standard he intends to give his campaign "a substantial amount" of his own money. Former Syracuse Councilor Ann Marie Buerkle is also seriously looking at the race, and strategists say at least one and perhaps more unnamed candidates have expressed interest. They join conservative activists Paul Bertan and David Gay in the GOP field.

Of those publicly expressing interest, Bitz looks to have the early momentum. "Bitz has a good amount of excitement behind his campaign ... both in D.C. and in the district," one Republican strategist said.

Republicans think Maffei is vulnerable because of his votes in support of big Democratic agenda items like the health care overhaul, cap-and-trade climate change legislation and the stimulus package. "I think the reason you're seeing so much interest in this seat is that Maffei's voting record is great for a San Francisco liberal, but it's atrocious for a central New Yorker," said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Tory Mazzola.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman Shripal Shah said the fact that Republicans are "looking to run a right-wing extremist and out-of-touch millionaire against Congressman Maffei proves that they remain committed to partisan ideology, not the best interest of Upstate New York."

"Congressman Maffei has been an exceptionally effective representative and an independent voice committed to fighting for his district," he added.

Maffei won the previously Republican-held open seat by a double-digit margin in 2008, and Barack Obama won the presidential race in the district 56 percent to 43 percent over Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

CQ Politics rates the general election contest Likely Democratic.

To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map

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