No thanks

Despite National Democrat’s failure to notch even one electoral victory in 2017, they point to recruitment efforts as an indication of their party’s ‘momentum.’

But while they’re busy touting every Bernie activist from here to Burlington to announce their candidacy, serious contenders like Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul are taking a pass.

Hochul Closes Door on Democrats, Who See Potential Collins Upset
TWC News
Nick Reisman
May 8, 2017
http://www.twcnews.com/nys/buffalo/politics/2017/05/8/kathy-hochul-chris-collins-western-new-york.html

ALBANY, N.Y. — Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul played down speculation she could champion for Democrats and run for her old seat in the House against Republican Rep. Chris Collins, whose CNN interview raised eyebrows last week.

Hochul told Spectrum News over the weekend she is not planning a run for her old 27th District seat in Western New York.

“It is flattering, there is speculation in the New York Times that my supporters would like me to run, but I have to say that representing the entire state, including my home base of Western New York has been a privilege and I really want to continue doing that work,” said Hochul, D-New York.

One candidate who has declared is Democrat Gareth Rhodes, a former aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who wants to challenge Rep. John Faso, R-Kinderhook, of the Hudson Valley’s 19th District. Faso and Collins both supported the GOP-backed health care bill that passed the House.