Wednesday the DCCC, which always claims to stay neutral in primaries, released their first challenger endorsements for the 2012 cycle. I noticed they endorsed all the grotesque conservatives backed a few weeks ago by the Blue Dogs like Brendan Mullen (IN), Leonard Bembry (FL), Clark Hall (AR), and Rob Wallace (OK). They even endorsed a defeated former Member (and Blue Dog), Nick Lampson, who had a record in Congress of supporting the GOP on nearly every important bill that came before the House. Brendan Mullen has a more progressive primary opponent, Andrew Straw. Leonard Bembry has at least two, Jay Liles and Alvin Peters. Gary Latanich is running against reactionary Rick Crawford in Arkansas and the Democratic primary race in Oklahoma may have as many as 5 people competing. And, of course, in New York's 25th district there's a lively primary between Brianne Murphy and ex-congressman Dan Maffei. And Maffei was one of the Democrats added to the DCCC's Red to Blue list Wednesday. So much for neutrality and letting the Democrats of Onondaga, Monroe, Wayne and Cayuga counties pick their own candidate for Congress.
I sat down with Brianne and asked her about the DCCC endorsement. Of course I wanted to know if she had had any interaction with the DCCC.
"I met with the DCCC several months ago as I was starting the exploration process. They represented to me and to the local party at that time they would be focusing resources in NY-25 to eliminate Rep. Buerkle and indicated that they would support whoever became the nominee. When I asked about their neutrality, I was told that Chairman Israel and Dan have a long personal friendship. You would have to ask them about their rules and operations.
"Dan is clearly running his race from the Beltway; I prefer to run from the district I intend on representing."
More important, I wanted to know why she thought she's better suited to represent the families of NY-25 than Maffei is.
"I think the voters in the 25th CD made it pretty clear why they think anyone would be better suited than he is, when they didn’t elect him the in 2006 and then again didn’t in 2010 when 85% of incumbents were re-elected in the House.
"The bottom line is Washington is log jammed by divisive politics and people are hurting. We need someone in Washington that understands the struggle that Central New York families are facing and puts them before towing the party line.
"I have been an advocate my entire life. As an attorney, I fight hard for working men and women experiencing discrimination, unfair and unsafe working environments and 9/11 first responders in their efforts to unionize. The most important job that a Representative has is to fight for their constituents. My passion as an advocate and for the struggle of Central New Yorkers, as well as my ability to connect with voters makes me better suited to represent them. I attend community and neighborhood meetings, I speak with Central New Yorkers every day who tell me they are tired of politics as usual."
I expect that the DCCC endorsement is going to make it more difficult for Brianne to raise campaign funds for the primary. (Contributions can be made here through ActBlue.) I asked her for her read on how the DCCC endorsement is going to play out in the district?
"I think you are right and while it certainly gives Mr. Maffei a further fundraising advantage with high-dollar consistent DCCC donors, with this being his fourth attempt to win this seat, there is widespread 'Maffei-fatigue' in the district. Obviously it takes significant resources to compete in a general election; but in 2010 Dan ran the most expensive race in the history of NY-25th and lost. Democrats in Central New York realize that it was not a lack of resources that cost him the election and are excited about having an alternative candidate.
"And to be clear, Howie, once I win this seat, I do not intend on losing it. I am going to Washington and I am going continue to fight for the things we believe in as Central New Yorkers."
To learn more about Brianne's camapign check out this YNN video and story.
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