The area's two freshman U.S. representatives, Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, are not quite halfway through their first terms, but they are preparing for next year's election.
So are their opponents.
Gillibrand, who defeated incumbent Republican John Sweeney in the 20th Congressional District in 2006, has four Republicans who've announced intentions to run against her, according to her spokeswoman, Rachel McEneny.
These are former state GOP Chairman Alexander ``Sandy'' Treadwell, retired state trooper and real-estate agent John Wallace, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Roque and Richard Wager, who has been working on a technology project for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
According to a recent report published in The Politico, a print and online news magazine that follows congressional races, Gillibrand has already raised more than $1 million, getting ready for next year's race against one of these men or another candidate.
``With our system the way it is now, you have to raise a lot of money to get your message out,'' McEneny said.
She said Gillibrand plans to run on her record of working to increase veterans' benefits, improving the area's response to floods and opposing the recent creation of a ``national interest electric transmission corridor'' in most of upstate New York.
Hammering those points home, especially in a district where Republicans outnumber Democrats by about 85,000 votes, takes money, as well as effort, McEneny said. However, she added, Gillibrand has been trying to hold her fire, waiting for Republicans to choose their nominee.
In the same story in The Politico, it was noted that Arcuri, who represents the 24th Congressional District, has less than half as much money as Gilibrand.
But he has no announced opponent.
According to Sheila Ross, chairwoman of Otsego County's Republican Party, that situation will soon change.
``Neither Arcuri nor Gillibrand has done much since they were elected, and I can tell you Arcuri will have an opponent, probably within three weeks,'' she said.
Ross said Republicans are eager to win back both the 20th and 24th districts, which were GOP strongholds until last year.
``It's a case that if you don't take them back soon, it can become harder and harder,'' she said.
According to his campaign office, Arcuri had $457,525 on hand as of Oct. 1.
In a prepared statement e-mailed to The Daily Star on Monday, Arcuri said he plans to seek a second term.
``Since I was elected to Congress, I've been hard at work, making college more affordable, taking care of our nation's veterans, and restoring fiscal accountability to our government,'' he wrote. ``I've also been busy fighting NYRI and passing legislation to create a regional commission to bring federal development resources here where we need them.
``It has been an honor representing and working for the people of the 24th District," Arcuri continued, "and when it comes time, I plan to run a vigorous campaign to earn the opportunity to continue representing them.''
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