The 2018 general election was only six months ago. But now multiple former candidates are launching or considering second bids for office.
“I think in the last election, we did everything in our power to fight him,” said Nate McMurray, the Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Republican Chris Collins last year. “He fought dirty against us. He did everything he could to undermine who I am. I’ll be perfectly frank, I want another chance to fight against him. I want to be the guy who removes him from his post and removes him from western New York.”
Collins is still under indictment for insider trading, but continues to represent a deeply Republican House district (NY-27) in western New York. McMurray says the campaign boosted his visibility as he considers another campaign.
“No one knew who I was when I first started to run last year,” McMurray said. “We built a lot of good build and you learn a lot the first time. When you come that close, we feel confident we can defeat this.”
And McMurray could soon join an increasingly long list of former candidates already launching second campaigns this year.
Democrat Tedra Cobb announced she plans to once again challenge Republican Elise Stefanik in the North Country (NY-21). Democrat Tracy Mitrano wants to again face off against Republican Tom Reed in the Southern Tier (NY-23). Republican former U.S. Senate candidate Chele Farley has started to raise money to challenge Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney in the Hudson Valley (NY-18). Democrat Perry Gershon is considering another challenge to Rep. Lee Zeldin (NY-1).
Republican former Rep. Michael Grimm, who failed in a primary bid last year to retake his Staten Island House seat, is eyeing another run against incumbent Democrat Max Rose (NY-11). But he may face Republican Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who ran for New York City mayor against Bill de Blasio in 2015.
Just last week, in central New York, Dana Balter launched her second bid to oust Republican John Katko for a Syracuse-area House seat (NY-24).
“We are going to build on that and we’re going to give central and western New Yorkers somebody who can get the job done,” Balter told reporters.
Balter said she learned a lot from her first campaign — including to not necessarily count on support from national Democrats.
“My focus is not on the DCCC or any other national organization. I’m thrilled to have their support; I hope they all jump in,” she said. “But what I’m focused on are the people of central New York.”
For many candidates, the outcome could be different in 2020, when President Donald Trump will once again be at the top of the ticket for Republicans.
“I take it as a sign that these candidates think that 2020 is going to be another good Democrat year in New York, so Democrats ought to take some comfort that these candidates don’t feel, ‘Oh, I took my shot; I lost,' ” said Bruce Gyory, an adjunct professor at SUNY Albany who advised several gubernatorial administrations.
And running again can be helpful for both name recognition and having a campaign apparatus already in place.
“I think it actually helps you because of the name recognition and your being ring-wise,” Gyory said. “You know, the second time you run a race, there’s just things you know.”