News Copy, New York

Tea Party Groups Fighting "Teabagger" Insult: Cavere Defends Tea Party Movement

When Republican Kristia Cavere told a journalist that she was not a "teabagger" over three weeks ago, she was not disavowing the tea party movement.

Cavere was defending tea party groups.

Yet reporters continue to use the sexual term, as witnessed by this low-brow coverage by a Putnam blogger.

Randy & Sheryl Thomas, Organizers of the Orange/Sullivan 912 Tea Party, also spoke up.

"You are misinformed.  We are NOT “teabaggers”.  That is a sexual term and does not accurately reflect our mission of providing awareness and education about the election process and politics. Your inflammatory use of that word shows your lack of personal character."

Kristia Cavere received a warm welcome last night at a tea party candidates forum for Rockland and Orange, organized by Rally For America.

Also on hand was David McFadden, whose comments on Facebook the same day defended tea party organizations.

"The more they try to marginalize the Tea Party Groups the more active and motivated we become. We will work so hard to get out the vote for conservative candidates this November they won't know what hit them."

Millions of Americans are out there trying to make a difference, patriotically.

It's as if "the establishment" doesn't want people to be civically engaged.

Though they might be competitors in an election for the 19th Congressional District, David McFadden and Kristia Cavere are clearly not afraid to speak up for the rights of tea party groups.

Cavere Continues Campaign

In Cavere's case, she has endured national scrutiny by far-left blogs and broadcast media potato heads like Keith Olbermann for daring to defend the tea party movement.

If she was a liberal Democrat or a Republican-In-Name-Only supporting abortion and playing to the global warming crowd, Cavere wouldn't have been harassed by the media.

The media brutality Cavere endured the past month would have broken most candidates.

It happened to her because she is a pro-life conservative Republican who advocates more tea party activism.

Her message of Republican pride continues to resonate with people.

By way, her campaign expects to post a very early second quarter filing of over $400,000.

Contrary to what an individual misrepresenting himself as her "campaign adviser" told reporters, Cavere retained attorneys who painstakingly confirmed the amount raised and verified that her filing will be FEC compliant.

Misquoted and maligned, few will doubt Kristia's staying power after this week.

To her credit, the Republican from Orange County is still showing up for the fight -- and was described as "impressive" at last night's tea party forum

Much like the tea party groups she happily supports, the rumors of candidate Cavere's demise are greatly exaggerated.

Engel And Lowey Draw More Challengers: New York's Suburban Liberals Get No Free Ride

Republicans have three challengers lining up against Eliot Engel, six challengers against Nita Lowey and five candidates against John Hall.

Crowded.  Apparently, crowded everywhere. Whether this is due to "low hanging fruit" or a new patriotism sweeping the country, the Republican brand has drawn more candidates than usual eager to challenge the Democrats.

18th Congressional District (Nita Lowey)

Paul Wasserman, Mark Rosen, Patrick Whalen, Patrick Gillespie, Alexander Block and Jim Russell addressed Westchester's town/city and district leaders last night in Greenburgh.  A number of high-ranking Conservatives from that county's embattled Conservative Party were also on hand.

Block is a Russian immigrant who became a U.S. citizen, a Scarsdale resident whose plain-speaking opposition to liberal Democrats reminded everyone what has changed in 2010.

"The concept of politics has always appalled me, so I have stayed away from it," said Block. "... The significant over-reach of liberal Democrats has awakened many people from a slumber."

Block's problem is that he is a registered independent.  But he is a welcome new face on Westchester's political scene and is expected to further bolster what has already been a Republican resurgence in the usually politically-correct Scarsdale.

Jim Russell's conservative views resonated with many Republicans but his campaign is stubbornly unwilling to raise money.  Having already run five times for Congress, sometimes ending up as a spoiler against Republican candidates, it seems impractical for the Mount Pleasant native to again chase this windmill.

But 2010 is the year of windmills, and conservative stands on issues, the unfunded Russell probably will force a divisive Republican primary.

Paul Wasserman is showing up with money, apparently over $200,000, but News Copy learned last night that the Ossining native only changed his registration from to Republican from Democrat in 2009.

News Copy made the mistake yesterday of posting that Wasserman was still a Democrat.  Wasserman did not change his registration before October 7, New York State's arcane deadline for changing party.  The Ossining Republican will need permission from party leaders (a Wilson-Pakula) to run in a Republican primary.

Wasserman clearly has a campaign organization, very strong on the ground and personalizing well with leaders.  However, it is highly unlikely that he will be allowed to run in a Republican primary (Maybe he should challenge Nita Lowey in a Democratic primary?)

Patrick Gillespie of New Rochelle drew spontaneous applause from Republicans when he aggressively stated that he was pro-life.  Gillespie is a latecomer to this race, with no campaign operation in place and no money.

Highly regarded Patrick Whalen of New Castle had the crowd on the edge of their seats but then suddenly announced he would not be running.

Mark Rosen of Mamaroneck continued to draw support and has formed a strong grass-roots operation.  Rosen's problem is the same of every candidate in this race (except Wasserman): Money.  Rosen has retained fundraising staff and formed a sophistical press/media operation.  The challenge in the coming weeks will be implementation of the ground game and raising money.

Handicapping this race, Wasserman would have been the capable sleeper -- if not for his registration as a Democrat -- and Whalen could have split the Republican base against Rosen.  The mystery candidate now is Gillespie, who demonstrated last night just how much of a political punch a pro-life stand can deliver with Republicans.  Russell will remain in the race, claiming that 30-35% of the general election vote without money is the best bang for the buck.

The problem for Russell and all the other candidates is that the remaining 15-25% against Nita Lowey can cost as much as $2 million dollars in television media and direct mail.

17th Congressional District (Eliot Engel)

With less than $200,000 on hand, Engel is in no position to be challenged by a Bronx Latino.  But that's precisely who he will have running against him if Tony Mele survives the minefields being set for him by Republican insiders in Rockland.

Mele was not invited to a candidates forum in Clarkstown last week.  He has been pressured to withdraw from the race and run for the Assembly.  Mele continues to draw the attention of tea party members throughout the Hudson Valley and he resonates extremely well with Conservatives in Westchester and the Bronx.

York Kleinhandler of West Nyack, a Green Beret and local business who is also Chief Warrant Officer is being aggressively touted as the frontrunner by Republicans to secure the GOP nomination in the 17th Congressional district.

The third name mentioned as a challenger to Engel is Brigadier General John Cornelius. Cornelius has lived in Suffern since 1983 but has not announced a formal candidacy.  The Rockland Times noted that all three men are not just veterans, but career military men.

The Rockland Times noted the split-personality of Engel's fiefdom,

"It’s a district that’s been under Eliot Engel’s control for 9 terms, and some would argue a district gerrymandered beyond recognition, composing portions of the Bronx, Westchester and Rockland.  As Engel celebrates his party’s victory on the health reform, the GOP is strategizing how to run a strong race against a man who commonly defeats his opponents by more than three to one. Even Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef, barely mustered 33% against Engel when he ran against him in 2004."

Republicans fail against Engel due to some of the machinations presently working against Tony Mele.

What's wrong with a Bronx-born Latino running for Congress in both Rockland and the Bronx?

Cornelius, Kleinhandler and Mele have to raise money.

19th Congressional District (John Hall)

Putnam resident and Yorktown businessman Tom DeChiaro is showing up for the candidates forum for the 19th this evening in Putnam County at Villa Barone on Route 6 in Mahopac. DeChiaro's problems with the Yorktown political machine in recent years has turned him into a voice for reform.  His message is sure to resonate with those fighting political manipulations from Bedford to Brewster. 

Orange County native David McFadden has to show a strong FEC filing and make a compelling argument as an independent against John Hall.  McFadden has personalized his stands on the issues effectively.  He's brought the issues home, as they say.  McFadden is not likely to disappoint.

Fellow Orange County native Kristia Cavere will find herself head-to-head against Westchester resident Nan Hayworth.  Hayworth could spend the entire evening fending off questions on abortion.  Cavere could find herself tagged as inexperienced and unprepared, except it is ironic that Hayworth has a harder time fielding questions at times than the former Pentagon analyst.  Cavere needs a breakout moment this evening.

Neil Di Carlo claims God told him to run -- and is expected to over-talk as a political rainmaker to the point of surreality.  Di Carlo's enthusiasm for democracy is welcomed but his over-the-top religious zeal is starting to make some uncomfortable.  Though he brings an everyman's "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" perspective to the interviews, his presence in the race will be marginalized by his overtly-religious approach.

Tonight could be make or break for Nan Hayworth, who must do two things:  (1) She must address the abortion clinic controversy, and (2) the Mount Kisco moderate needs her own breakout moment.

With DeChiaro as an intriguing wildcard, anything is possible this evening -- and either Hayworth or Cavere could finally take the gloves off in front of Republican leaders.

New York's 19th Heading For Two Woman Republican Primary: Hayworth Versus Cavere

The inside word out of Washington, D.C. has been that Congressional Republicans are "gun-shy" about most of the races in New York State after the three-way debacle in the 23rd last year.

Greg Ball's abrupt exit from the 19th left the NRCC hesitant about the Hudson Valley, even with Obama  winning Democrat John Hall's district with only 52 percent in 2008.

Now the 19th is host to a four candidate race that observers are predicting should whittle down to a two-woman primary by summer.

There's a lot of work for party leaders and candidates to do before it whittles down to anything.

 

Nan Hayworth

The first casualty won't be Nan Hayworth, though the Mount Kisco moderate is spending money as fast as she is raising it.  Also, Hayworth continues not to resonate with all five county chairs -- thought astute political players fully expect her handler Jay Townsend to have substantial proxies in tow by the time a convention is convened.  Hayworth has pledged to primary the candidate designated by Republicans, so Sue Kelly's horse in this race will remain until September.

Critics have noted the embittered and sometimes obsessive approach of Hayworth's campaign manager John Hicks.  Hicks turned Hayworth's race into a jury on Orange County Republican Chairman Bill DeProspo -- and failed miserably.  Hayworth's operatives have also commingled shamelessly with divisive candidates in Putnam and northern Westchester counties.  Finally, the manipulative hand of highly-paid political consultant Jay Townsend has been felt and slapped away from the political machinations too many times to list.

Hayworth's loss of frontrunner status has been almost entirely a self-inflicted wound.

David McFadden

Former Tuxedo Mayor David McFadden has pledged not to challenge the Republican's pick and has asked his fellow candidates to join him.  McFadden's problem is that his newly changed registration leaves him ineligible to compete in a primary without permission from a majority of the 19th's district leaders or the State GOP chairman.  Frankly, McFadden cannot run as a Republican candidate without such a Wilson-Pakula -- so he is sadly a man without a party unless a political miracle happens.

McFadden has impressed gatherings with his speeches.  The Orange County native has ably diffused controversies about his tenure as Tuxedo Mayor.  He has fearlessly turned negatives about tax liens into a positive commentary on how he kept his company's employees from being laid off.  If anything can be said about McFadden, his resilience in this race has not been missed.  However, permission to run as a Republican is unlikely for him.

Working in McFadden's favor has been a well-oiled on-the-ground political operation, a surge of social networking tools and a visible presence on both sides of the Hudson River.  Working against him is the political tag but it bests the sleepy nature of this race so far.

Kristia Cavere

Newcomer Kristia Cavere is starting to demonstrate that she has an effective ground game.  Cavere has impressed tea party and committee members alike with her tough-talking tea party approach.  With this Orange County native's campaign projecting close to $300,000 raised, her next FEC filing date (March 31) could turn this into a much different race overnight.

Kristia hasn't formally announced (scheduled tentatively for the second week of April) and she has to hit the ground running to beat down what will still be a well-financed (and well-organized) primary challenge by Hayworth IF (BIG if) Cavere secures all party endorsements in May.

Critics have noted Cavere's absence of a website, campaign Facebook page or any visible campaign structure.  She could be one of the brightest candidates in the United States but Cavere's absence from the press -- coupled with not enough retail "shoe leather" campaigning could leave this former Pentagon analyst playing catch-up.

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To beat John Hall, any of these Republican candidates must be ready to campaign 18 hours a day, seven  days a week, every single difficult day until November.

United Republicans?

Neil Di Carlo has an enthusiasm for democracy but it is hoped that the Southeast Republican won't carve away votes from Hayworth and Cavere in a crowded primary.  It appears that Di Carlo, though well-intended as a candidate, neither has the funding nor the organization to continue.

The 19th has been measured by Real Clear Politics to be a "toss-up" against John Hall and Republicans would be better off choosing Hayworth or Cavere in the coming days.

The decision on the 19th is likely not being made until early May.   News Copy's prediction is that Hayworth will remain in the race as a primary-consuming spoiler if the Bedford Republican does not get the nomination.  News Copy has also learned that tea party organizers have grown weary of Hayworth.  More important, local leaders will expect much more from Cavere or Hayworth in the coming days and weeks if either woman is to be viewed as the Republican candidate.

David McFadden could still survive as a sleeper if leaders on either side of the county don't start presenting a grass-roots candidate in earnest before April 15th.

Edge to Cavere, if she shows up for the fight.

McFadden Denounces Hayworth For Negative Attacks: Cross-River Congressional Wrestling Match

It sounds to us like Westchester's Nan Nayworth is worried about Orange County.

Hayworth has taken aim directly at David McFadden, who up until a week ago was the only formally declared Republican joining her at this dance.

Wonder what Hayworth, Inc. will do to the rest of the entrants in the 19th's now-crowded race.

As for his past liens, McFadden said that he had "no outstanding tax obligations"

McFadden explained last night in Warwick that he has always voted for Republicans as a non-affiliated voter until recently when he changed his registration to Republicans.

But McFadden admitted no patience for the mud already being slung by Hayworth hired gun Jay Townsend.

"As has already become a disturbing trend for the Hayworth campaign, she decided to inaccurately and unfairly represent my tax history.

McFadden wanted to focus more on this issues and not on any attacks, supplying a background to his financial issues.

“... When my clients were struggling due to the ups and downs of our turbulent economy, I made arrangements with the taxing authorities so that I would be able to both fulfill my tax obligations and keep my staff fully employed."

The Orange County Republican then applied his own shot directly at Hayworth's bow.

"... What’s not in dispute is the fact that I am true to my conservative principles, whereas Hayworth's credentials are indicative of a so-called Republican who has abandoned her conservative virtues."

Whether or not evidence will be supplied to back up the claims against Nan Hayworth's profit with her husband from an "abortion clinic" remains to be seen -- but it is lurking as the issue about to pounce on the well-funded and highly-touted Republican frontrunner in New York's 19th Congressional District.

Republicans in Washington, D.C. don't seem to care.

Four 19th Congressional Challengers Go Head-To-Head: Warwick GOP Holds Public Forum

Four of the five Republican candidates for the 19th Congressional District addressed the Warwick Town Republican Committee in Orange County last night.

The public forum allowed Nan Hayworth, David McFadden, Kristia Cavere and Neil De Carlo an opportunity to almost start debating.

There were some surprises:

Dave McFadden came loaded for bear.  Despite open criticisms of his legal and financial history by Republican Nan Hayworth, McFadden addressed the negative attacks fearlessly -- and didn't shy away from discussing his embattled term as mayor of Tuxedo.

Much of the Tuxedo Republican Committee were also there, almost giving McFadden a chance to head to the confessional.

McFadden was disgusted at how Hayworth's campaign had called him a "tax cheat" and said the legal/financial claims against him were an "absolute fabrication" (News Copy did note a few prior liens and judgments, though nothing yet to match the hyperbole by Hayworth).

"Let's keep it civil.  Let's debate the issues.  Let's talk about policy," said McFadden.

Pro-life, local, openly conservative and far more improvised than the rest of the candidates, McFadden's full-court press was a cross between an auctioneer and enthusiast.  He also laced into Nan Hayworth about http://appalledathall.com and other negative attacks.

Ironically, Hayworth campaign manager John Hicks had preceded the meeting by distributing copies of Appalled's biased breakdown of all five candidates to district leaders.

The identity of appalledathall.com remains a mystery.  Hayworth is certainly not distancing herself from it.  She's embracing that blog's negative politics entirely.

Kristia Cavere was warmly received, staying above the fray.  Cavere clarified her own resume; Pentagon experience, healthcare financial analyst, philanthropist.  Cavere's surprise announcement was forecasting at least $250,000 on hand before the end of the month -- $100,000 on hand.  The Orange County native also openly stated a pro-life stance.

Nan Hayworth held her ground too and has improved her presentation dramatically in recent weeks. She did not answer McFadden's charges but seemed keenly aware by the end of the night that she was surrounded by competition for the first time since September of last year.  Longer in the race, already lining up personal endorsements by local chairs and local committee endorsements, Hayworth must still be viewed as the frontrunner in the 19th with over $500,000 raised.

Nan Hayworth also crossed a line in the sand that she might yet regret:

"I am a tea party candidate, a tea party nominated candidate," said Hayworth when describing how a Port Jervis-based tea party organization, the Tristate Sons of Liberty, had endorsed her.

Neil Di Carlo came across as a rainmaking populist and an enthusiastic religious conservative.  Di Carlo's question to all the candidates about whether they had met with other committees -- in response to Hayworth's listing a dozen endorsements -- brought about the most dramatic moment of the night.

Di Carlo emphasized that it was too early for endorsements, that the committees and chairs deserved an opportunity to make an informed choice between all five candidates.  He seemed the least concerned about findraising and the most strident social conservative, evoking a politically incorrect approach about D.C. politics that should at least add some entertainment to the race for the 19th.

Though apparently pressured by leaders aligned with former Orange County chairman John Hicks to endorse a candidate last night, the Warwick Republicans were reported by district leaders to be waiting until a larger multi-town and multi-county meeting planned for next month to make a final decision.

Nan Hayworth could not deliver a knockout punch last night and experienced a pushback by her opponents that has finally reminded Republicans that there will be more than one candidate on the campaign trail this summer.

One candidate missing from last night's forum, Tom DeChiaro, has been reported to be planning a comprehensive campaign that aims to raise $1.5 million in the 19th.  Running for Congress is not cheap, as much as Neil Di Carlo rightfully reminding Republicans that this year will be about the people.

Now the only question is whether or not too many candidates have shown up ...

GOP Primary Certain In New York's 19th: Nan Hayworth Continues Attacking McFadden

A five candidate Republican primary is forming in New York's 19th Congressional District.

It's not too different from the four candidate candidate in Long Island's 1st and and the two man wrestling match in Brooklyn-Staten Island's 13th.

Congressional candidate Nan Hayworth has a lot of company in this race.

The Mount Kisco native also has a lot to say about one of her opponents, Republican David McFadden from Orange County.

"Mr. McFadden has never voted in a Republican primary, and according to the
New York State Board of Elections, is not a registered Republican.  New York
State law requires that candidates be a member of the party in order to vote
for themselves in a primary.

Mr. McFadden anouncement today leaves me wondering if he is aware of New
York State Election law, and I am also curious if Mr. McFadden has paid the
most recent of several tax liens filed against him by the State of New
York."

-Jay Townsend, spokesperson for Dr. Nan Hayworth

So it looks as if Nan Hayworth isn't angling for the independent vote in this election.

Jay Townsend is her man behind the curtain.  He's an able and successful political consultant.  I have worked with him, for him and he has shown up to help my friends put out a few fires over the years.  Townsend's also good at starting them, both when he worked for Democrats and Republicans, so the body politic here is fascinating.

McFadden's campaign has been patient and so are the other candidates who have felt stung by Hayworth supporters in recent days.  It also seems more than apparent that Hayworth, Inc. is taking aim at taking down News Copy -- killing the messenger -- but we're sorry to report that Bob Fois is not running for Congress.

And I am not working for any candidate in this race, at least not yet (and will disclose if that happens).

It wouldn't make a difference anyway.  This is a free country and I'm free to help or support or ponder or criticize or comment on any candidate I want ... within reason.  No fires being set here though.  Gosh ... I just finished criticizing my friend Rob Astorino in the prior column.  News Copy will never be a mutual admiration society.

News Copy finally caught up with Tom DeChiaro yesterday and enjoyed his candor.  DeChiaro an articulate and civic-minded type who could surprise the Hudson Valley this summer.  Also, Kristia Cavere has begun to aggressively campaign (and raise money) -- and Neil Di Carlo struck most of our counterparts as a gentleman.  All appear ready with access to money.  All appear articulate and willing to put forth a campaign.

I guess the point I am making is that the 19th is steeped in quality candidates.  May the best man or woman win.  There's no need to rush the timetable and voters should be given an adequate chance to meet and hear all of them.  Perhaps it is Hayworth's anxiety to slam the political barn door shut so early that has so many observers nervous.

It would be a shame if negative energy turned what otherwise would be a rousing triumph for Republicans into a gutter battle in the 19th.  But the same scenario is being repeated all over New York, and undoubtedly all over the United States.

Five well-funded Republicans, four pro-life, two from Orange County, two from Putnam County and one from Westchester all want to challenge two-term incumbent Democrat John Hall.

Frankly, it all has started to resemble the pile-on in New York's 20th last year -- that weakened Jim Tedisco's candidacy against Scott Murphy.  It won't be too different from the three-way shooting match in 23rd last year that found a liberal Republican endorsing a Democrat over a Conservative.

Putnam County Tony Scannapieco acknowledged that all political committee chairs have never seen so many eager Republicans stepping to the plate as candidates.  Scannapieco is a wise and weathered chair who knows all about competition in his home county, one of the fastest growing places in New York.

The Putnam chair reminded a crowded in Putnam Valley at that GOP committee's St. Patrick's celebration what happened last year in the 20th and the 23rd.  Scannapieco wasn't shooting down the idea of a primary but he cautioned how critically important it would be for all Republicans to pull behind the nominated and/or eventual candidate in any election -- whether it be for State Senate, Assembly or Congress.

I am paraphrasing but Scannapieco basically said it would be a good idea if GOP candidates played well with others and worked as team players when all was said and done.

Primaries are good and primaries are bad, if handled the wrong way.

The warnings of the 20th and 23rd are still with us -- and must be heeded.

New York 19th Drawing More Candidates: Andrew Saul Out As Di Carlo Drops In

Neil Di Carlo is officially in, having filed with the FEC.

Andrew Saul's long-speculated run in the 19th Congressional District will not happen.  News Copy had confirmation last night of Saul's choice not to run and the MTA official has circulated the word to county chairs.  Saul's ability to self-finance and his respect among Westchester Republicans would have given him immediate credibility.  The story circulating now is that Saul could be the Republican's Lieutenant Governor candidate.

Enter Neil Di Carlo, pro-life and plain-speaking on tea party issues.

"The reason you haven’t heard of Neil Di Carlo until now is quite simple. He isn’t a politician."

Di Carlo has a website, a message, a catchy design and religious conservative stands on social issues that should satisfy social and fiscal conservatives throughout this five-county district.  The 19th does have a strong Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical base of voters.

However, an overt religious conservative message could be dissonant with the libertarian bent of many tea party activists in the 19th.  There are some doubts that a religious-right approach is the way to go.

It's still refreshing to see a candidate take a firm stand on social and fiscal issues -- and not be shy about who he is ...

News Copy sat down with Di Carlo last month at The New York State Conservative Party's Political Action Conference.  Di Carlo's common sense business sense was impressive.  He's truly not a politician.

By the way, Yorktown's Tom DeChiaro might still be in the race.  But the Yorktown winery owner has no campaign in place.  DeChiaro is reported to have good D.C. ties.  He is also the only candidate to articulate a pro-life stance in the newspapers.  This is no surprise since DeChiaro is a professor at Catholic University.

Primary Picture Emerges

Di Carlo will dent Nan Hayworth's Republican base and motivate Conservatives.  Meanwhile, Hayworth was just endorsed by Southeast's Republican chair -- Di Carlo's backyard in Putnam County.  Di Carlo also has to get a move on raising money but his resume indicates an ability to raise enough to at least get him through a primary.

With David McFadden announcing on Saturday (last week's snowstorm delayed McFadden's formal announcement) and a second candidate out of Orange reported to be days away from announcing an aggressive exploratory committee, Hayworth could find herself in a competitive primary before March 15th.

Nan remains silent about the Mount Kisco Medical Group, where her husband, Dr. Scott Hayworth is CEO.  Evidence is now mounting about abortions being performed there, though pro-life leaders have not yet gone on the record characterizing it as an abortion clinic.  Hayworth continues to accumulate local endorsements but county chairs are reportedly still waiting for a better candidate to enter the race..

No other candidate in the 19th has Hayworth's endorsements or money.  No other candidate in the 19th has Hayworth's debts or drawbacks to securing the Conservative line either.

McFadden Campaign Takes Shape In 19th: Hayworth Silent On Abortion Questions

The candidate from Orange County previously described as most likely to exit the race against Democrat John Hall in New York's 19th Congressional District is running.

He also appears poised to establish a political beachhead in Westchester County.

Former Tuxedo Mayor David McFadden will formally announce his candidacy in Orange County Saturday morning at 11:00 in Tuxedo at the Duck Cedar Plaza.

The event will be held at a newly opened, yet largely unoccupied, retail space where McFadden will be joined by the project’s developer and other local business leaders to tour the site. 

“This may not be the setting ordinarily used to announce the launch of a campaign, but these aren’t ordinary times.  As the owner of a small business myself, I think it’s appropriate to use this occasion to highlight local business owners taking risks and struggling to see their dreams come to fruition even as they face the damaging Washington policies which continue to harm the biggest engine of our economy: small business, ” said McFadden.

He added, “If given the opportunity to represent this District, my number one priority will be local job creation.  And by protecting free enterprise and lessening the tax burden on our local families and small business owners, we will do just that.”

The ambiguity in McFadden's professional biography on his campaign website is noted.  Critics on both sides of the river claim the former mayor is besieged with legal and financial problems.  Neither Nan Hayworth's campaign nor anyone else has provide evidence of his notoriety -- though McFadden hasn't provided the names of the businesses he's run either.

Both Sides of The River

McFadden has been social networking a BIT the past month, Facebook "friending" anyone who isn't nailed down.  More impressive has been the outreach by this Orange County campaign across the river.  The Orange County businessman has secured support from operatives and media professionals in Westchester.

It's clear McFadden won't be a stranger in Republican Nan Hayworth's home county.

It's as clear that McFadden won't be alone in his own county: with a pro-life conservative Republican from Orange -- with national tea party credentials -- expected to aggressively circulate within the next two weeks.

The 19th could get crowded.  Though Tom DeChiaro of Yorktown in Westchester and Neil DeCarlo of Southeast in Putnam County have been quiet in recent weeks, Nan Hayworth might be facing the resources of four well-funded pro-life campaigns by March 15th.  Of course, this could split the "true conservative" base and actually help Hayworth.

Abortion Questions

Hayworth keeps silent about questions surrounding the Mount Kisco Medical Group, where her husband as CEO has denied that the facility is an abortion clinic.

Sources have told News Copy that evidence exists proving that Dr. Hayworth does run an OB/GYN clinic that performs abortions.  The issue is not expected to go away anytime soon but no accountable claim by a candidate or organization has surfaced.  Perhaps McFadden himself could change that.

Saturday will be McFadden's day to make a noise like a Republican elephant and remind the rest of the Hudson Valley that Orange County is still in the game.

Orange County Gears Up To Challenge John Hall: Incumbent Democrat Not Raising Money

Incumbent Congressman John Hall (D-Dover Plains) isn't raising money and challengers are lining up.  The 19th Congressional District only went 52-48% for Barack Obama in 2008, with John McCain winning Putnam County and portions of northern Westchester (particularly the town of Somers).

The two-term Democrat must be viewed as extremely vulnerable with only $451,584 on hand, according to F.E.C. reports.  Republican Nan Hayworth has $519,007 on hand but already had $292,297 in campaign debts by the first of the year.

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Hall couldn't remember the lyrics to the national anthem before a Marist College women's basketball game Sunday night. For a professional singer, Hall gave a lazy rendition -- or maybe he didn't want to sing certain lyrics ("O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming")?

See for yourself.  It was so uninspiring that his flat repetition of the same lyrics almost goes unnoticed.

Hall better sharpen up.  Republicans in Orange County intend to put forth a significant pro-life conservative Republican challenger in the coming weeks.

Orange County GOP Chairman Bill DeProspo has focused on recruiting a "true conservative" to unify the Conservative and Republican parties -- the same way he aggressively backed and fundraised Greg Ball's aborted run.

And it is clear, directly from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long and his entire operation that Conservatives do not want to support Mount Kisco native Nan Hayworth.

Local chairs on the Westchester County Conservative Committee have expressed doubts about Hayworth's conservative credentials -- and there are fears of a credibility gap on abortion.

Questions are being raised by Conservatives and Republicans alike about Hayworth accepting money from a the American Medical Group Association, a PAC significantly funded by the Mount Kisco Medical Group where Hayworth's husband is CEO.  There are unsubstantiated claims that abortions are performed there -- and denials by Dr. Scott Hayworth that the Mount Kisco Medical Group is an abortion clinic.  The are also questions about the PAC itself, with 81% percent of its recipients being Democrats.

Hayworth is the only candidate in the race with a committee filed properly with the F.E.C., though former Tuxedo Mayor David McFadden is announcing his candidacy on Saturday.  Multiple sources in Orange County have repeatedly cautioned that McFadden is too ridden with legal and financial problems to be taken seriously.

In addition to McFadden, Yorktown's Tom DeChiaro and Southeast's Neil Di Carlo -- both openly pro-life candidates -- had told reporters their interest in 19th.  Neither appear yet to have filed with the F.E.C. or put together an organized campaign.

News Copy can confirm that an Orange County native will enter the race for the 19th, described privately by Conservatives and Republicans as "organized and intelligent" -- a "pro-life tea party conservative Republican" who can defeat John Hall.

NRCC Elevates Hayworth To Contender: Endorsed By Tea Party Group As Hall Stumbles

A tea party group from the city of Port Jervis in Orange County called the Tristate Sons of Liberty has endorsed Republican Congressional candidate Nan Hayworth.

Hayworth is vying to face off against Democrat John Hall in the 19th Congressional District.

The same day as the tea party endorsement, Hayworth was elevated to contender status by the NRCC on the basis of her fundraising.

"Hayworth’s campaign has already achieved some success, reporting $519,000 cash on hand as of December 31, which is $67,416 more than Democrat incumbent Hall had on hand."

A Republican surpassing an incumbent Democrat in fundraising this early in an election cycle is significant.

It's an indication that Hall might be more than vulnerable.  Sources in the Hudson Valley have suggested the two-term House Rep is "giving up" but the NRCC cautioned that the 19th was won by Barack Obama (52-48).

Hayworth's financial advantage makes her formidable, so anyone looking to challenge her better hurry up.

Back in December, the City Hall blog reported that Assemblyman Greg Ball was being asked to re-enter the race.

Ball appears solely focused on running for State Senate, despite that leaving him on a collision course with popular incumbent State Senator Vincent Leibell.  The NRCC still openly praises Ball but he is a political peck's bad boy or whipping boy depending on who you speak to ...

As for Hayworth, money changes a lot of minds but the following sentiments from two months ago still appear to hold true.

The county chairs say their main misgiving about Hayworth is her lack of political experience. But a personal dispute is playing into it as well: Hayworth hired John Hicks, the former party chair of Orange County, as her campaign advisor. Hicks is embroiled in a long-term dispute with DeProspo, who helped oust him. DeProspo says that by choosing Hicks, Hayworth has displayed her political naiveté and an unwillingness to fit in with the local G.O.P. team.

“I think that the NRCC has looked at [Hayworth] on paper,” he said.' “They have their own goals and benchmarks and guidelines…what they really, really like about her is that she has a lot of money.”

As chairman of Orange County in 1996, Hicks found himself at odds with Conservatives over his support of Sue Kelly -- whose radical late-term partial-birth abortion stands then had her at odds with half the national Republican Party.  DeProspo's backing the liberal William Weld for governor in 2006 didn't endear himself to Conservaties either -- but the Orange County Chairman has openly articulated a willingness to support a pro-life conservative in the 19th.

So far, that candidate has not arrived.

Meanwhile, News Copy was handed solid confirmation on another detail in the 19th that may surprise people.

The same political operatives within the NRCC praising Nan Hayworth had far more good things to say about Greg Ball's aborted candidacy.  The respect for Ball's run in the 19th was so effusive -- by NRCC staff simultaneously promoting Hayworth -- that it seemed hard to believe that this was the same organization Nan Hayworth's campaign had claimed wanted Ball out of the race over a faulty poll.

Currently, Greg Ball has not articulated ANY plans to re-enter this race nor does that appear likely.  However, Hayworth is vulnerable to a challenge in a primary -- regardless of what the rocket scientists in D.C. say. 

New York's 19th Congressional Getting More Crowded: Pro-life Movement Flexing Muscles

Since Barack Obama only won New York's 19th Congressional District 52-48%, two-term incumbent 
Democrat John Hall has to be feeling the heat.  News Copy has learned that the names of at least eight Republicans and one Conservative are being floated for this House seat, including four each from Orange and Westchester counties.

The consistent word from all sources, from most partly leaders and particularly from people "on the ground" is that Nan Hayworth is still not resonating, despite confirmed stories that she is pressuring committee by committee for early endorsements.  Also, Conservatives and Republicans alike understand that the 19th is one of those rare districts in New York tailor made for a true conservative Republican.

And pro-life candidates are stepping forward, partly in protest but also somewhat curious that they can be the next Scott Brown.  It won't be that simple or easy in New York.

Last week, a story broke about a Yorktown (and D.C.) native named Tom DeChiaro "mulling" a run against Democrat Nan Hall in New York's 19th Congressional District.  The North County News quoted DeChiaro taking an openly pro-life stance.

DeChiaro, who is Catholic, said his beliefs will guide him when it comes to making decisions about policy.

“If you are a candidate who believes in the sanctity of life, you have to vote based on your belief, or you have no integrity. When it comes to core values, you can’t have a give and take.”

DeChiaro join Di Carlo in taking an open stance against abortion.  It is speculated that other pro-life candidates are lining up, possibly Conservative Avery Leidner out of Orange County and former Congressman Joe DioGuardi, who lives less than a mile outside the district in Ossining (though News Copy can confirm DioGuardi's interest could be either statewide or again challenging eleven term incumbent Democrat Nita Lowey in the 18th Congressional in lower Westchester).

Orange County Republicans are expected to make their presence known in this race, especially since it is the largest and more dominant Republican portion of the 19th.  Former Tuxedo Mayor David McFadden has declared with $100,000 on hand but the Times Herald-Record reported that he is already catching criticism from Nan Hayworth's campaign -- for his party registration (or lack thereof).

Jay Townsend, a consultant for Republican rival Nan Hayworth's campaign, responded to the announcement by revealing that McFadden isn't registered as a Republican – he has no party affiliation – and that he recently had a $21,441 tax lien filed against him, in addition to past tax problems.

McFadden “hasn't cared enough to register in the Conservative or Republican parties,” Townsend said. “Nor has he cared enough about our community to even pay his taxes and honor his obligations.”

This already has the feel of a competitive primary shaping up.

The North County News blog argued that a primary in the 19th would not help Republicans.

"... The lesson has not been lost on the state Republican party regarding the Democrats winning the Republican stronghold of upstate New York District 23 last November, another humiliating defeat for the old-guard GOP."

It was a liberal Republican endorsing the Democrat that cost Conservative Douglas Hoffman the primary, not the actual primary.

The other possible candidates in the race remain under the political radar or have not formally declared, though numerous sources comfirm that another wealthy candidate is weighing the option of a run and at least another "true conservative" is being courted by Republicans.