Draft Peter Hort

The NY GOP needs strong candidates to send to Albany in 2006. While still having a slim majority in the State Senate, it will be important to find someone who can run on real republican issues and give a Democratic incumbent a difficult challenge. My first recommendation for 2006 is Peter Hort for the 25th State Senate District.

Peter ran against Jerry Nadler in 2004 and did modestly in a Congressional District that sweeps across the left side of Manhattan into Brooklyn. If the district had more moderate to conservative voters, he could've given his opponent a run for his money.

In October, I caught Peter at a GOP judicial endorsement meeting and asked if he thought of running for a seat in Albany. He said he has thought of a run for Assembly, but his Assembly representitive is Deborah Glick, not Sheldon Silver. He misses Mr. Silver's 64th AD by a few blocks and running against Ms. Glick wouldn't attract the same amount of attention that a run against Mr. Silver would. He's certainly right about that. Any formidable GOP candidate challenging Sheldon Silver would draw quite a bit of attention.

Assuming I read what Peter said about missing Mr. Silver's district by a few blocks, I have to believe he resides in State Senator Martin Connor's district. If he can't challenge Silver, then he should challenge the man who is involved in every petition challenge case brought before the Board of Elections. Martin Connor is a strong Albany Democrat in the Upper House. If Peter can get on the ballot and run a well funded campaign, I think he can win the State Senate seat. And every Senate seat is important in 2006.

I've had many discussions with consultants and district leaders and State Senate districts are big and difficult. But so are Congressional Districts and I have to believe Peter learned a lot in 2004. I think he can handle a Senate District. I just have one word of advice if he does run. Say you are "Republican Candidate for State Senate." Don't let the Democrats attack you for not being proud of your elephant blood.

So I ask New York Republicans to Draft Peter Hort for State Senate.