Election Watch 2006
A Tale of Two Races
New York's 24th District
In the closely watched race to replace moderate GOP Congressman Sherwood Boehlert in NY-24, both sides have attractive and articulate candidates; State Sen. Ray Meier (R) and Oneida County District Attorney Michael Arcuri (D).
The 24th Congressional District of New York covers parts of 11 counties, including the cities of Utica, Rome and Auburn. The district also tends to vote Republican. The PVI (Partisan Voting Index) for the seat is R+1, meaning it voted just one point more Republican than the nation as a whole in the 2000 and 2004 elections combined.
The retiring congressman from the 24th District is Sherwood Boehlert. Since 1982 Boehlert has recorded one of the most moderate voting records of any Republican House member. He has taken the lead on many issues that some members of the Republican Party did not find popular, including environmental and labor issues. However, while the 24th District has a solid Republican constituency and Boehlert has won general elections easily, he has had serious competition in the Republican primary from more conservative candidates. This will be a hard fought race for the Republicans to keep given the low approval ratings in the state of both President Bush and Governor George Pataki, and a political environment in which voters are not particularly enamored with the status quo.
Ray Meier, the Republican nominee hoping to fill Boehlert’s shoes is a 10-year state Senator of New York, former county executive and practicing attorney. He has a reputation as an independent leader, fiscal conservative and an expert on welfare and Medicaid reform. Democrats will try to make Meier out to be a conservative extremist, but his voting record and reputation in Albany will make that very tough to do.
Arcuri's political profile as District Attorney of Oneida County paints him as being tough on crime. Arcuri is a political outsider whose messages of moderate representation, troop withdrawal from Iraq and bringing jobs back to Central New York will resonate with voters. Recently however, Arcuri has been taken to task for political contributions he has received from two local businessmen who are currently under investigation by the FBI. Arcuri said he returned the donations as soon as he learned from the newspaper reports that the FBI was investigating them.
Senator Meier is endorsed by the New York State Credit Union League for the seat. "I have lived in Oneida County my entire life," said Meier. "The credit union leaders know me personally, my experience, and my values. They know I can effectively represent their members’ interests in Washington. I am gratified and honored by the trust they have shown in me today with their endorsement."
"We want to thank Senator Meier for his consistent support of credit unions at the state level," said Robert O. Witty, president and CEO of CFCU. "He understands the important role credit unions play in our society and, it’s nice to know, he will continue to support us at the federal level if elected to the U.S. Congress."
While he will have a tough race ahead, Meier has the support of credit unions as well as the National and Upstate New York Republican Party. Meier also has a strong organization in place that will turn out voters from the Republican base as well as independents and perhaps a few Democrats.
Kate Abel
Colorado's 7th District
The race to replace retiring Congressman Bob Beauprez (R) of Colorado’s 7th District is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the country. On November 7th, two capable candidates will square off. On the Democratic side is former Colorado state senator Ed Perlmutter, and on the Republican side is Rick O’Donnell a former Colorado cabinet member and former head of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
Colorado’s 7th Congressional District was newly created for the 2002 elections, and until recently was seen as even across political lines. The judge who handed down the redistricting plan deliberately tried to divide the District evenly between Republicans and Democrats. The District includes the counties of Aurora, Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson, all which have been trending more Democratic in recent years. The slight Democratic trend can partly be attributed to increased African American and Latino population.
Rep. Beauprez is vacating his House seat to run for Governor. Beauprez was the first Congressman to represent the district and defeated Democrat Mike Feeley by 121 votes, one of the closest elections in history. The current GOP candidate Rick O’Donnell was part of the crowded Republican primary in 2002, but lost out to Beauprez 38% - 31%. Four years later the district has not lost its competitive reputation.
In 1994, Ed Perlmutter became the first Democrat in nearly 30 years to be elected to serve Colorado’s Senate District 20. While serving in the state senate, Perlmutter’s leadership was recognized by his peers and he was elected as the President Pro-Tem of the senate.
GOP candidate Rick O’Donnell’s career in the public service has been highlighted by his service in the Governor’s cabinet. O’Donnell also headed the Colorado Department of Higher Education and Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
While both candidates have outstanding public service records, Ed Perlmutter is the credit union candidate of choice. "Ed Perlmutter is a long-time friend of Colorado credit unions and will make us proud on the national level," said the Colorado Credit Union League. The Colorado Credit Union League is writing an article on Ed that will be included in the League’s monthly newsletter. Also, credit union members from across the metro area will be volunteering on the Perlmutter campaign in a number of capacities. With help from the credit union movement, a shifting political trend in the 7th Congressional District and the building national Democratic momentum, Ed Perlmutter will be victorious on November 7th.
Allen Chew
