With time running out to find a challenger to freshman Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, for the 2008 election, Republicans said today they may have a candidate.
Richard L. Hanna, an Oneida County businessman, is giving serious consideration to running on the Republican ticket for the 24th Congressional District seat, a party spokesman said. The 11-county district includes parts of Oneida and Cayuga counties, and all of Cortland County.
Hanna, owner and president of Hanna Construction Inc. in Barneveld, did not return phone calls this evening.
Ken Spain, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington, D.C., said Hanna has been considering a challenge to Arcuri.
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"Michael Arcuri has become a willing accomplice in the Democratic-led Congress's effort to raise taxes and hike up spending," Spain said. "With these kinds of far-left policies, and a plummeting approval rating for this incompetent Congress, it should come as no surprise that an accomplished individual like Richard Hanna is strongly considering running against him."
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Arcuri has more than $458,000 cash on hand for the 2008 campaign, according to disclosure reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
"The NRCC has been saying for months that they would have a candidate to challenge Congressman Arcuri, and the reality is they can't find anyone willing to challenge such a strong member of Congress," James said. "Congressman Arcuri isn't worried about what inaccuracies the NRCC is spreading right now; he is focused on fighting for Central New York families in Congress."
Something tells me that Hanna wasn't exactly their first, or even fourth choice.
