YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. — Democratic voters won’t nominate a candidate to take on Republican Rep. Mike Lawler for another 379 days. But in the affluent hamlets of the Hudson Valley, candidates are already honing their pitches for why they’re the strongest candidate to flip New York’s ultra-competitive 17th District.
Across the country, a swath of busy Democratic primaries have emerged in competitive congressional districts — both a harbinger of enthusiasm and a potential source of pitfalls. The contest in New York’s 17th District is the most crowded to date. Seven Democrats have launched campaigns to take on the congressman, who is on the front lines of defending House Republicans’ three-seat majority. Two more have indicated that they’re seriously considering bids.
Even though the primary is over a year out, Westchester County Democrats are hosting a series of three forums to test their candidates’ mettle. Last Thursday evening in Yorktown Heights, a room of 40-some Westchester County Democrats pushed three of those candidates — Army veteran Cait Conley, nonprofit founder Jessica Reinmann, and New Castle Deputy Town Supervisor Jeremy Saland —
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The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the US House of Representatives, US Senate, Governors and President as well as American political trends.
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