Tuesday, June 26: Wooing a party base fired up by the election of Donald Trump and Faso’s perceived vulnerability, the candidates have jostled for the “true progressive” mantle while trying to make the case that they can prevail in a congressional district where success has dangled just out of reach for three election cycles.
Clegg picked up the support of former county surrogate court judge Mary Work; Delgado, the wife and daughter of long-time Congressman Maurice Hinchey; Rhodes, several unions; and Flynn, the Latino Democrats of Dutchess County.
“I’m for those values I was raised with: compassion, understanding, sympathy and shared prosperity,” said Delgado, more than once.
The Ryan campaign said it had nothing to do with the polls, which were conducted by outside political action commitees. “We cannot coordinate with them. That’s illegal,” said Ryan campaign manager Tim Wagner.
With seven candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for the 19th Congressional District — and little ideological daylight between them — campaigns are touting their candidate’s electability in the November battle against incumbent Republican John Faso as they head towards a June 26 primary to decide who’ll get the party’s line.
If number of signatures obtained and donations are any indications, some favorites are emerging in a crowded field. The primary, open to all registered Democrats, will be held June 26.
If the Democratic candidates challenge the signatures of rivals, it could narrow the field, which increases the number of votes needed to win. What to do?
Those hoping to unseat incumbent congressman John Faso poured millions into the campaign coffers in the last few months, according to federal data.
None of the candidates have run for office before, and they drew attention to the contrast between themselves and the experienced Faso, a fixture in state politics before being elected to New York’s 19th Congressional district in November 2016.
Two Democratic candidates racing to unseat Republican incumbent John Faso outraised him in the third quarter of 2017, indicating plenty of interest in the New York’s 19th congressional district race.