The race is officially on for New York’s 19th congressional district. Democrat Sean Eldridge has announced a 2014 run against incumbent Republican Chris Gibson.
Eldridge’s announcement arrived via video message posted late Sunday night. His widely anticipated run comes nearly two weeks after The Chris Gibson for Congress campaign’s launch of a web video entitled “Our Best Century Yet.” Eldridge, an Ulster County resident, is the founder of Kingston-based Hudson River Ventures, a small business investment fund focused on the Hudson Valley.
The video highlights Eldridge’s upbringing, his record of job creation in the Hudson Valley, and his vision for growing the middle class and creating jobs in New York. Stephanie Valle is campaign spokesperson for Congressman Gibson, who resides in Columbia County. She has this response to Eldridge’s announced run.
Gibson’s campaign video highlights the congressman’s record of public service, local roots, and commitment to and understanding of his constituents. Valle says Gibson’s record will win out decisively once again, despite the likelihood of Eldridge outspending his campaign. Neither Eldridge nor Gibson mentions political party affiliation in his campaign video. Eldridge says his focus crosses all party lines.
Valle offers a reason why for why there is no mention of “Republican” in Gibson’s campaign message.
Eldridge, who is married to Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, says he is steering clear of political action committees or PACs.
In August, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner headlined a fundraiser for Gibson in Sullivan County. On that night, Gibson, a retired U.S. Army Colonel who is in his second term, said he needed to raise the funds to be able to compete with a much wealthier opponent. Meanwhile, Eldridge is focused on change.
The 19th congressional district stretches across 11 counties, including all or portions of Broome, Columbia, Greene, Delaware, Dutchess, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster.
