Wilmington man seeks Conservative nod
By NATHAN BROWN, Enterprise Staff WriterSARANAC LAKE - A Wilmington man plans to run for Congress as a Conservative.
Jim Kelly, a former New York City police detective who has been active in the Conservative Party since the early 1990s, said he has contacted state Conservative Party chairman Mike Long and "he's left the door open; he's very interested," Kelly said.
The Republican Party chairs in the 11 counties of New York's 23rd Congressional District nominated state Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava of Gouverneur. She was chosen after the party chairs and elected officials met with her and eight other candidates at four meetings held throughout the district earlier this month.
The deadline for Democratic candidates to submit their resumes was Thursday. A number of Democrats have expressed interest according to various media sources, including Mike Oot of Munnsville, Dan Francis and Robert Johnson of Watertown, William Owens of Plattsburgh, former Oswego Mayor John Sullivan, former U.S. Attorney Dan French, and Lowville native Brian McGrath. Darrel Aubertine, who many speculated would be the nominee, announced Thursday he won't run.
Ever since President Barack Obama announced longtime Rep. John McHugh's nomination as Army secretary in early June, there has been speculation as to who will replace him. McHugh is still the seat's occupant until he is confirmed by the Senate; no schedule has been set for the confirmation hearings, McHugh spokeswoman Stephanie Valle said Thursday.
"Many, many Republicans have called me voicing their upset over (Scozzafava's nomination)," Kelly said. "Dede Scozzafava is walking in lock step with one of the most liberal New York City Democrats, Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver."
Kelly said there is "no way" the Conservative Party, which often endorses Republican candidates, will endorse Scozzafava. He said the party ranks politicians on their support of the party's positions, and Scozzafava scored 15, only five points ahead of Silver (the highest score is 100).
Scozzafava has not been endorsed by the Conservative Party recently. She has been, however, endorsed by the Working Families Party, which generally endorses Democratic candidates, in her Assembly bids.
Kelly said he will step aside, with Long's permission, if the Republicans bring forth a more conservative candidate.
Kelly managed John Spencer's unsuccessful Senate bid against Hillary Clinton in 2006, and said he traveled 48,000 miles around the state while doing so.
"I'm going to work this fight," Kelly said. "I stand for conservative values; Dede Scozzafava and the Democrat don't. I'm going to expose her voting record."
Kelly said the 23rd District, like the 20th District where Democrat Scott Murphy beat Republican James Tedisco earlier this year, has a plurality of registered Republicans but also a large number of independents. However, he said, the people of the 23rd are more conservative, noting the 20th has a large number of New York City natives with seasonal homes in Dutchess and Columbia counties, and in the Albany area.
Kelly pledged, if elected, to only serve two or three terms and to donate half his salary to North Country food banks. He also said he will travel New York and the country to "be the salesman to bring business back to Watertown, Oswego, to the Plattsburgh area ...."
Kelly was a state trooper for two years, and then a New York City detective. He spent his last 10 years on the NYPD with the FBI/NYPD Joint Organized Crime Task Force. He testified against the Genovese crime family and investigated a plot to murder then-mayor Rudy Giuliani by the Genovese in 1995.
Kelly has been involved in state Conservative politics since 1993, when George J. Marlin, who now writes for the New York Post, ran for New York City mayor.
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Contact Nathan Brown at (518) 891-2600 ext. 26 or nbrown@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.
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(Editor's note: This article appeared in the Saturday, July 15 print edition of the Enterprise but was accidentally not posted online until today.)
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contrary1
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07-29-09 8:37 AM
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Interjecting uncertainty into politics is always a good thing, especially when one Party has maintained power for generations. Considering the lack of a Dem competitor in this race, all of the protestations against "liberal Dede", will probably backfire and result in her election. But some of you probably figured that out already. I don't blame you. With the backlash against the GOP during the last couple of elections, I'd probably want to brand her as a sleeper cell Democrat too. Democrats have been getting elected.
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designer5
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07-28-09 11:16 PM
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Unfortunately, it appears that the local republican party is more interested in maintaining the money and power grab with someone just like the present politicians. Therefore, if you have hopes to change anything that is going on in DC, you had better be looking at conservative party and independent candidates.
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Outlaw63446
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07-28-09 10:12 PM
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Reject Scozzafava now, and start the selection process over. She is obviously a "go along to get along" type, that will do whatever is in her own best interests. Anyone hoping for anything remotely resembling Republican principles will be hopelessly disappointed. Who in the heck voted for her nomination? They have to be RINO's too.
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Truthbetold
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07-28-09 8:05 PM
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Wait a second - do I hear the LOCALS supporting an OUTSIDER???? Oh My God, what has become of the Adirondacks I knew and loved filled with "natives" who hated everyone who was born elsewhere, who chose this area for their home, who was education and could spell? Or are you all just hypocrits and put aside those prejudices when it suits your politics?
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FishCric
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07-28-09 9:53 AM
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war is a fact of life as long as man believes in gods(I study the teachings of all religions). there is great time tested wisdom in those books, but they are just embellished history. If you objectively invest and make good returns just give it away if you think casting pearls before swine is the answer. ssi for drinking, believable but criminal
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contrary1
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07-28-09 8:37 AM
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I quit drinking in '85, and within a couple of years a lot of the people I used to drink with were receiving SSDI for their "disability". How many Dem presidents did we have in the 80's, when SS was raped to offset the FDIC thievery, and drunks were added to the disability rolls? If you've noticed pomp, my entire theory is based on equal enforcement of the law, based on the Constitution. True zero tolerence would involve a reinstatement of the draft, so the educated elite investor class isn't so quick to lie us into another war. Zero tolerence, means marijuana would become legal, so fortunate children aren't criminalized along with defenseless trailer trash. Instead we let BushCo go free, and watched Clinton impeached for lying about a sleazy affair. To me, the Constitution isn't just a piece of paper to be discarded at the first sight of profits.
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Mickey
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07-28-09 5:41 AM
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A conservative who is pro-choice and voted for Gay marriage? I don't think so. Dede needs to take the "R" from after her name and change it to "L" for lib. There are too many Libs running as Conservatives as it is. Forget the "R" and keep her out of higher office. We see the state of affairs currently with libs in power. We don't need it to get worse...
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FishCric
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07-27-09 11:29 PM
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and sorry to the man I do not know him yet. but thats a good thing
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Afinehowdoyoudo
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07-27-09 11:26 PM
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oops- passion = compassion. passion? yikes again.
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Afinehowdoyoudo
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07-27-09 11:26 PM
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PP- I will show passion for dumbass Georgie. Riding the coattails of Dr. Evil. Nothing like a prez who has to turn to the devil for advice. Well done, America.
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FishCric
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07-27-09 11:23 PM
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Palin Rush 2012. Palosi in a nut house and the rest of congress in jail or homeless. To be part of any organization thats corrupt and to know its corrupt and stay there is a crime
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designer5
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07-27-09 10:12 PM
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Well, you know, we wouldn't want anyone getting into office that doesn't believe in murdering babies, and euthanasia of the elderly. And who knows, this guy might even consider reading the bills before voting on them. Can't have anyone doing that kind of thing and upsetting the status quo.
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Afinehowdoyoudo
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07-27-09 9:20 PM
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Is that a picture of him shaking hands with GW BUSH? ewwwww cooties.
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adk777
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07-27-09 8:11 PM
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Just what we need, a conservative right-wing NYC Republican cop. Does he hate all minorities, or just some??
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contrary1
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07-27-09 3:01 PM
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I guess that would make Mr. Kelly a NYC police officer during the time they gentrified the Times Square area of New York City. Depopulating for gentrification purposes, isn't bad when you're dealing with non-taxpaying defenseless homeless people. Gentrifying taxpaying longstanding property owners, isn't the same. Lately, our area elected officials don't seem to understand this concept, I hope Mr. Kelly does. Without any real local Democratic Party to argue with, the GOP is cannabalizing itself. If they don't watch out, democracy might make a comeback. Anybody wake up Joe Pickreign yet?
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designer5
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07-27-09 2:51 PM
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Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Best of luck to you on your campaign.
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tourist
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07-27-09 2:17 PM
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bravo!! good for you Jim
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shipsaint
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07-27-09 12:50 PM
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go for you jim
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FreedomFighter
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07-27-09 11:46 AM
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"Dede" Scozzafava is a RINO Republican in Name Only. One thing we know for certain is that Scozzafava isn't exactly proud to be a Republican. She doesn't even vote like a Republican. "Dede" has been fighting rumors she had considered switching parties under pressure from organized labor, with Obama playing a role in the background." Conservative Voters need to send a message to the Republican Party and reject this RINO on election day. Just Say No to “Dede.”
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