Bipartisan sources have confirmed that the eight term congressman's name is rising to the top of the list to challenge Aubertine, who won the Senate seat in a special election last month. McHugh held this Senate seat for eight years before going to Congress in 1992.
McHugh's high name recognition, and the large Republican make-up in the district, would immediately vault a race between him and Aubertine to the top of most competitive Senate races in a year when Democrats are two seats from claiming the majority for the first time since 1965. McHugh, who has been the subject of retirement rumors for several years, is said to be tired of the Washington commute.
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McHugh's campaign spokesman said his boss was planning to seek another term this year and was unsure where speculation about a State Senate race would have come from. He said McHugh has not given indication of any worry over the redistricting process.
"Having served in the New York State Senate, he has the utmost respect for that body," McHugh spokesman John Sweeney said. "He has the fullest intention of running for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives again."
Sweeney noted that McHugh, a former chairman of the Postal Affairs Subcommittee, has informed his Republican colleagues of his interest in becoming the top Republican, whether as chair or ranking member, on the House Armed Services Committee, where he has served since arriving in Washington.
It shows you how desperate the Republicans are to retain the Senate when they want a congressman to run against Aubertine. I think the GOP needs to face facts: Aubertine is a great fit for that seat. They are better off investing their energy elsewhere - wherever that might be.
