| It looks like Kirsten Gillibrand is likely going to need every bit of that $668K because there's probably no way that she will outspend her likely opponent for the 20th Congressional seat, Alexander "Sandy" Treadwell. According to the Albany Times Union, Mr. Treadwell has officially filed his paperwork with the FEC and has even opened a "working office" in Saratoga Springs.
Ex-Pataki official challenging Gillibrand
Treadwell enters 20th District race
Former New York Republican Party Chairman Alexander "Sandy" Treadwell has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission to challenge U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand for Congress in 2008.
Treadwell, who lives in Lake Placid, filed to run for the 20th Congressional District seat on Monday, FEC records show.
He served as Gov. George Pataki's as secretary of state and later as state GOP chairman, a post he held through 2004.
Treadwell recently set up his first campaign office on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, and he plans to open additional offices across the district soon, according to campaign officials.
Who is "Sandy" Treadwell? Find out on the flip... |
 Well, for starters, you should know that Treadwell is loaded. He's not just rich, he's very rich, an heir to a fortune from GE. He will largely self finance his campaign. He's also a player. He spent almost 4 years as the state GOP chairman and he's raised a fortune for GOP candidates over the years. Though he fancies himself a moderate, he has certainly enabled some absolutely wacky GOoPers over the years, especially his Ranger-riffic fundraising for President cuckoo bananas. As a commenter over at Capitol Confidential observes:
Halleluh for Treadwell - a true friend of all the wealthiest of the wealthy! A great friend of Cheney & Bush, I believe he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for them in their last campaign. A close insider in the NY national Republican parties. So - if you LOVE Republicans - if you love War, Oil Companies, Cronyism, Taxes shifted from the Rich to the Middle Class, and Corporations Uber Alles, if you hate habeus corpus, if you hate diplomacy, - you gotta LOVE Treadwell!
In the end, I think Kirsten stomps him, but it certainly won't be a gimme as Treadwell is sitting on a ton of money and I doubt he'll be shy about spending it. I am heartened by statements like this one posted over at Democracy In Albany the other day:
As a former aide to John Sweeney while he was in the Pataki administration, I must say what a tremendous job Kirsten Gillibrand is doing. She is the most accessible politician in the region. Every weekend, she is somewhere in the 20th Congressional District, letting us know exactly where she stands on issues and why, which is a refreshing change. I'm sure we all have stories about experiences we have had dealing with Rep. Gillibrand, but I feel compelled to tell you about mine.
Gillibrand vs. Treadwell: It's on. |
