Politics on the Hudson

Wappingers Falls Mayor Matt Alexander had $20,587 in campaign cash at the end of December for his bid to win the Democratic line in the November election for the 19th Congressional District seat.

Alexander is one of three Democrats seeking their party’s line to run against freshman Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth of Bedford. The Federal Election Commission website did not display Alexander’s filing early Wednesday, even though it was submitted before the midnight Tuesday deadline.

Hayworth’s campaign reported having $1.1 million at the end of the year.

Richard Becker, a heart specialist from Cortlandt seeking the Democratic line, had $165,282. A third Democrat, Tuxedo Park Mayor Tom Wilson, announced his candidacy only two weeks ago.

Congresswoman Dr. Nan Hayworth is putting up cold cuts, ziti and cheesecake in declaring a Giants victory Sunday over the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

The freshman Republican from Mount Kisco has joined New Hampshire Congressman Frank Guinta in a friendly wager over the big game. Should the Patriots lose, Guinta is on the hook for “lobster, maple syrup and Poutine (a French Canadian specialty consisting of French fries topped with curd cheese covered with a spicy chicken gravy).”

“This weekend’s match up will be a great game to watch for fans of both teams who enjoy a tradition of success,” said Hayworth. “I am looking forward to sampling some of New Hampshire’s traditional food after watching the New York Giants bring home a win against the New England Patriots for the second time in the Super Bowl,” Hayworth said.

If the Giant lose, Hayworth will be delivering the following to her colleague from the Granite State.

·      Assorted cold cuts platter from Mama Theresa’s Italian Specialties in New Windsor, NY

·      Baked Ziti from Dinardos in Pound Ridge, NY

·      New York cheesecake from The I-84 Diner in Fishkill, NY

Guinta, who is also in his first term in Congress, is apparently looking forward to his pasta.

” . . . I’m sure that when the Patriots whittle the Giants down to size Sunday evening, the lobster, syrup and poutine won’t be going anywhere.  And speaking as someone with a fondness for ziti, I’ll be rooting doubly hard for the Patriots to win!,” he said.

The Hudson Valley’s two Republican freshmen in Congress – Nan Hayworth and Chris Gibson—ended 2011 with sizeable stashes of campaign cash.
Hayworth, an ophthalmologist from Bedford, had $1.1 million in her campaign treasury while Gibson, a retired Army colonel from Kinderhook, had $702,022.

None of Hayworth’s announced Democratic opponents came close to her in fundraising.

The mayor of the village of Tuxedo Park in Orange County has announced he is seeking the Democratic Party line to run against Rep. Nan Hayworth of Bedford.

Mayor Tom Wilson is the third Democrat to announce against Hayworth in the 19th Congressional District.

However, the boundaries of the Congressional District have not yet been set through redistricting.

One or more of the candidates could be redistricted out of the 19th.

A candidate still is eligible to run if he or she does not live in the district, but it does have an impact on electability.

The two other Democratic candidates are cardiologist Richard Becker of Cortlandt Manor and Wappingers Falls Mayor Matt Alexander.

A bipartisan advocacy group says freshman Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth of Bedford has agreed to its pledge to sit with a member of another political party during the Jan. 24 State of the Union address by President Barack Obama.
The group, No Labels, said it has a commitment from a dozen lawmakers so far. “That was just our initial outreach,’’ said spokeswoman Sarah Feldman. “We are going to be speaking to every single office.’’
No other members of the New York delegation were part of that initial group.
Last year many Republicans and Democrats arranged “bipartisan dates’’ for the speech after the idea was floated by Third Way, a centrist Democratic advocacy group.
Both of New York’s Democratic senators sat with Republicans.
Sen. Chuck Schumer sat with conservative Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand invited Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota to join her.

 

 

Matt Alexander, one of two Democrats who wants to unseat Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth in the  19th Congressional District, is holding a fundraiser next week headlined by Rep. Barney Frank and Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Both  sit on the House Financial Services Committee with Hayworth. Frank, of course, is the namesake of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform legislation.

Hayworth, R-Mount Kisco, is also using the get-together as a chance to rally her troops, according to Capital Tonight.  She emailed her supporters with a plea for cash that begins: “Its bad enough that Congressman Frank helped drive our economy over a cliff, but now he is using his position to help my opponents raise money.”

Alexander’s campaign came back with its own response.

“Mayor Alexander is flattered that Congresswoman Hayworth is highlighting our event. He’s proud of support from any elected official who has stood up for consumer protection and working families over Wall Street greed.

“It’s no surprise that Nan Hayworth is fundraising off her job-killing Tea Party record. She has been audacious from Day One in her attempts to kill any sensible regulations of Wall Street—including Dodd-Frank—that might protect the bottom 99% of New York families. There is one candidate in this race who represents the interests of middle class and working families, and his name is Matt Alexander,”  T.J. Helmstetter, Alexander’s campaign manager for Alexander, said in a statement.

Alexander is the mayor of the village of Wappingers Falls in Dutchess County.

Rep. Nan Hayworth, R-Mount Kisco, sent out the following:

Congresswoman Hayworth Op-Ed: Serving our friends and neighbors across the Hudson Valley

A year in review from U.S. Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, M.D. (NY-19)

January 4, 2012

“Focus on jobs.” “Make the federal government work better for us.” “Help break the partisan gridlock in Washington.” These are some of the messages I’ve been getting from people all across the Hudson Valley in our 19th Congressional District. When Congress is not in session in Washington I spend my time here, visiting our towns and villages, small businesses and larger manufacturers, senior centers and schools. We’ve held a jobs fair to bring job seekers together with potential employers; I’ve toured local nonprofits caring for our neediest citizens; and I’ve brought together key state and federal agencies to expedite recovery after Hurricane Irene.

Strengthening our economy and growing jobs is the most pressing issue facing our region and our nation. This year we’ve passed 28 bills in the House of Representatives-with votes from both Republicans and Democrats-aimed at reducing burdens on our businesses, especially small ones, and providing certainty to investors who would like to start new businesses or make existing ones bigger and better.  In June I introduced another bill that can make a difference right here in the Hudson Valley, the PACE Protection Act of 2011. It would allow people who own homes or other properties to make energy-saving retrofits affordably, through a special property tax assessment that is paid over time. It would not add costs for local taxpayers, and it would immediately create jobs in our communities. The PACE Protection Act is gaining support on both sides of the aisle.

I’ve also joined my colleagues in the House to work together with the Senate and the President wherever we can find consensus. For example, President Obama has called for making it easier for businesses to raise capital for expansion, and for reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I’ve supported the introduction and passage of legislation to do these helpful things. To help overcome the partisan divide in the House, I’m a cofounder of the Common Ground Caucus, which brings Republican and Democratic Members together to get to know each other outside of our legislative work. I’m also working with Congressman Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, as a co-chair of the Hurricane Irene Coalition, which crosses the aisle to ensure that our counties, and the entire Northeast, receive all of the federal assistance to which they are entitled to recover from last year’s devastating storms. I’m proud to have been the first member of our New York congressional delegation to have asked President Obama—successfully—for full disaster-relief designation for all of our counties in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

In the face of challenges like natural disasters and man-made pollution, I’ve worked to protect the beauty of our Hudson Valley and to keep our air and water clean in common-sense ways. Last year I received the highest score among our Republican Members of Congress from New York from the League of Conservation Voters. I was also recently recognized by the Sierra Club for my strong voting record in support of clean water. My record on the environment has led observers to recognize me as one of several federal legislators willing to “take the pro-green position during floor and committee votes spanning more than 100 bills and amendments.”

It’s a great privilege to serve our friends and neighbors across the Hudson Valley. I’d appreciate your helping me and our team by letting us know how we can help you or your community. You can contact us, as well as learn more about the issues I’m working on, at http://hayworth.house.gov.  Thanks for joining us to make our Hudson Valley an ever better place to live and work.

Here’s the press release:

U.S. Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, M.D. (NY-19) released the following statement after the House passed a 60-day extension of the payroll tax reduction, unemployment benefits, and Medicare physician reimbursement rates after the Democrat-led Senate agreed to appoint conferees and begin working with House Republican negotiators on a long-term solution:

“Today Congress passed a short-term extension of the payroll tax holiday, federal contribution to unemployment benefits, and current Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors. I have always supported these programs, and in recent days I’ve been privileged to be a highly visible advocate for providing the greatest possible certainty to hardworking taxpayers, job-creating employers, the growing ranks of unemployed Americans, and our seniors and doctors who rely on Medicare. On December 13 I voted with a majority of House Republicans, and many Democratic colleagues, for significantly lengthier continuation of these crucial initiatives. The Senate voted differently, and now it’s time to work towards consensus.
“As part of today’s legislation, the House of Representatives and the Senate have convened a conference committee to devise longer-term extensions for the payroll tax holiday, federal unemployment contributions, and Medicare reimbursements. I have been honored to be one of eight House Republicans selected for the committee, and l look forward to working closely with my colleagues in both parties and both chambers of Congress to do our best for all the people we serve.”

 

House Speaker John Boehner named Rep. Nan Hayworth, R-Mount Kisco, to a committee that will try to resolve the differences over the payroll tax cut extension bill that passed the Senate in a heavily bipartisan vote but was rejected by the House this week.

“In the midst of a terrible economy, our hardworking families should not face increased taxes next year. House Republicans are determined to continue our work in Washington until we come to an agreement that lifts burdens for taxpayers while protecting the Social Security Trust Fund; continues help to our unemployed while assuring sound long-term reforms; and ensures seniors’ access to their doctors under Medicare. We call upon the Senate to join us in working toward a solution that offers long-term relief to struggling families and job creators,” Hayworth said in in a statement.

But with the Senate out of town already and the House adjourned for for the holidays, as USA Today reports, it’s not clear when lawmakers will take any action. The payroll tax cut is set to expire Dec. 31, resulting in the average worker paying $1,000 more next year in Social Security tax.

The Senate version called for a two-month extension; House Republicans wanted to pass a measure that extended the cut for all of 2012 instead of having to take up the matter again come February.

Hayworth, who is in her first term, took criticism yesterday from two Democrats who want to unseat her.

Richard Becker, a Cortlandt Democratic Town Board member who wants to unseat Rep. Nan Hayworth, R- Mount Kisco, next year faulted the congresswoman today for being among those who rejected a bill extending the payroll tax cut beyond Dec. 31. The measure recently passed the Senate.

“Today my opponent, Congresswoman Hayworth, voted in lock step with the Tea Party once again by voting to kill a bipartisan agreement to extend the payroll tax cut for the middle class and unemployment insurance – a bill that was overwhelmingly passed in the Senate by an 89 to 10 vote,” Becker said in an email.

The 229-193 vote in the House also called for setting up a negotiating committee so the House and Senate can develop mutually acceptable legislation. The Senate version called for a two-month extension, which many House Republicans said was an inadequate step. If an extension isn’t approved by the end of the year, the average worker is expected to pay about $1,000 more in taxes in 2012.

Matt Alexander, the mayor of Wappingers Falls and another Democrat vying to challenge Hayworth, this afternoon also criticized Hayworth’s vote. He pointed to a statement he made yesterday.

“ . . . The fact is Congresswoman Hayworth and her Tea Party caucus had an entire year to propose a solution, yet failed to do that. Instead, Nan blocked and opposed every single proposal to extend the payroll tax cut. Well, time’s up. You don’t get elected to lead Congress only to put the country in reverse.”