The D&C is reporting that Democrats are beginning the interview process for their candidate in the 29th:
Those interviewed include Mary Wilmot, an aide to Gov. David Paterson, Assemblyman David Koon of Perinton, past candidate for state Senate and businessman David Nachbar of Pittsford, Southern Tier native Matthew Zeller and Michael McCormick of Allegany County, according to Monroe County Democratic Committee Chairman Joseph Morelle.
Zeller and McCormick are the new names on the list. Nachbar's name hadn't been officially mentioned, but he's a likely candidate since he was considering a primary run for the seat in the last cycle.
Comments
I've no idea if this is "the same" Southern Tier native Matthew Zeller referred to in media reports but I discovered the below from a routine Googling. Wouldn't it be something if a strong, polished recent Afghanistan service-person were to enter the fray? Here's the background, with apologies if I have Googled someone entirely separate from the Matt Zeller in question. "...First Lieutenant Matthew Zeller is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve and received his commission via Syracuse University’s Army ROTC program in 2004. He graduated first in his class from the US Army Military Intelligence Officer’s Basic course in 2005 and is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Combat Advisor’s course. From April to December 2008, Zeller served in Ghazni, Afghanistan, as an embedded combat mentor to the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police. He earned a bachelor’s degree in government from Hamilton College in 2004 and his master’s degrees in public administration and international relations from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in 2006. He is a 2004 recipient of the David Boren National Security Fellowship and is a native of Rochester, N.Y."
Sounds like a good resume.
It is an interesting pick, really out of nowhere. Zeller sounds like he has a great profile to run for congress....in Northern Virginia, where he lives. Smalltown lawyer/Mayor Tom Reed will dominate this election. I am from the Southern Tier, I used to be somewhat involved in politics in the region and I don't know anyone who knows anyone who's ever heard of Zeller. I wish him the best, but it's clear the county chairs really dropped the ball on this one.