New York

adigal

(7,581 posts) Thu Jan 23, 2014, 03:08 PM Jan 2014

Tea Party Extremist Running in NY 21

This has all of the hallmarks of an ugly race. Elise Stefanik, a 29 year old protege of Paul Ryan, is running for the seat Bill Owens recently announced he would give up this year. Owens won a hard fought battle for this seat in 2012, and has cited family reasons for not running. It's a shame, because he is a good man, and now the party has to start from the ground up.

Elise Stefanik, ex-Bush aide and Paul Ryan buddy, has been planning to run, but has picked up steam and endorsements since Owens' announcement. This is a conservative district, pulled together from NY 20 and 21. NY 20 was where Senator Gillibrand first ran, taking away Johm Sweeney's seat.

The DCCC has commented:

http://dccc.org/newsroom/entry/republicans_are_stuck_with_elise_stefanik_and_all_her_baggage/

Stefanik proudly wears the extreme conservative badge. She led Paul Ryan's debate preparation in the VP race, a fact she should try mightily to bury, given how disastrously he performed. Being an ex-Bush aide is another fact she should give some effort to hiding. But she has nothing else. She is young, brash and full of hubris. She would be a complete disaster for our district! I have actually given thought to running after hearing about her and her policies and friends.

Please keep your eye on this race. Other Republicans have declared their candidacy, but her ties to DC seem to be giving her an edge. We need the DCCC to tqrget NY 21 so funds can be raised to defeat this extremist. She is already traveling and collecting endorsements. This woman would be dangerous for our country.