Another official contestant for NY-25th
It’s official, Bob Oaks throws his hat in the ring. The New York 25th race is gearing up to be one hell of a prom night : (bold mine)
Bob Oaks carefully considered his options. He has strong name recognition and has been a sure-fire winner and money contribution magnet for the Republicans. In his 7th term, Oaks currently represents an Assembly District which includes all of Wayne County and parts of Cayuga and Oswego counties. Bob has already begun the rounds of municipal Republican committees within the 25th Congressional District to introduce himself and his views. He also has begun to collect money for the campaign ahead, to show the Onondaga Republicans his strength in mounting a solid challenge to Maffei.
Oaks realizes that the situation is win, or go home. If he is successful in swaying the support of the Onondaga Republican Committee, it will be an uphill fight. Maffei already has a considerable war chest of contributions and a head start on the campaign trail.
Oaks is nobody’s fool. He knows that in the 25th Congressional District, comprised of all of Onondaga and Wayne Counties along with parts of Cayuga and Monroe County , Republicans hold a 20,000 registered voter edge. He also realizes that if he gets the Onondaga County Republican nod, then losses the election in November, there is no going back to the State Assembly. “There are enough things working to make this a legitimate opportunity,†said Oaks.
Whew’, what a relief. We wouldn’t want somebody’s fool running, now would we?
I think coming from Wayne County hurts him in the general. Everyone there votes Republican anyway, so there’s not much possible gain there, and the district is really all about Onondaga. The same geographical factors that make a Monroe County candidate weak in that district (or in NY-29 for that matter) hurt him here.