The Fighting 29th

All about New York's 29th Congressional District

Reader Elmer sends Corning Leader columnist Bob Rolfe's take [pdf] on Tom Reed's run. Rolfe thinks that the run is a mistake and that Reed doesn't have much of a chance.

I think any Republican has a chance in the 29th, but I agree with this statement:

Platform? All you did last week was spout the party line – the line of what’s come to be known as the Party of No.

Reed needs a positive, New York-friendly agenda.

Reader Elmer sends today's Corning Leader opinion page [pdf] which contains a letter from the President Dean Norton of the New York Farm Bureau, lauding Massa's "No" vote on the climate change or "cap and trade" bill. Though the Farm Bureau opposed the bill, it was full of concessions to farmers.

Tom Reed's announcement received coverage in the Corning Leader, City Newspaper, WENY and WETM.

From WENY:

Reed says his platform will be built on three planks, personal accountability and responsiblity, less government, and lower taxes. “Government should not be the end all and be all,” said Reed, “it should guarantee opportunity for someone to succeed not their individual success.”

All well and good, but Reed had better put some meat on those bones. Which government should be limited? What taxes should be lowered, and which services will we cut when we cut taxes?

The Democrat and Chronicle has has the news of Tom Reed's announcement. The Star-Gazette notes that the state Democratic committee had a press release out one minute after Reed's announcement.

Two very reliable sources tell me that Tom Reed will announce his candidacy as a Republican candidate for the 29th seat tomorrow. Reed will announce in Corning and Pittsford, and will receive the full support of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

Today's Corning Leader front page [pdf] (and jump [pdf]) has a story about the NRCC soliciting donations for Corning Mayor Tom Reed. Reed has not formally announced but it sounds like he's in.

The National Republican Congressional Committee's Executive Director, Guy Harrison, tells political site Five Thirty Eight:

What were are really going to focus on in New England and really all over the country is going after candidates who fit each district and candidates who can really win each district. Some of those prospects include Tom Reid [sic], the Mayor of Corning, NY to run in NY-29 [...]

When a Republican party operative as prominent as Harrison mentions Reed, it's a good indicator that none of the region's political heavyweights are interested. It sounds like the run for NY-29 is Reed's if he wants it.

Eric Massa will have a press conference tomorrow to announce the new Massa broadband bill. I might not be able to attend, but the ever-capable Stop the Cap founder Phillip Dampier will be one of the speakers at the conference, and I'm sure he'll have some coverage.

Reader Elmer sends today's Corning Leader editorial page [pdf], which includes a op-ed from Eric Massa, explaining his recent "No" votes.

Eric Massa has a post at Rochesterturning about a Cancer Summit that he'll be co-hosting along with Camp Good Days on June 22 in Branchport.