DCCC picks Powers in NY Dem primary

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) waded into another primary on Monday, endorsing Iraq veteran Jon Powers in the race to replace Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.).

Powers has intrigued national Democrats since he began his campaign, but he faces well-funded opponents in attorney Alice Kryzan and businessman Jack Davis.

{mosads}Davis, a noted self-funder who has lost to Reynolds the last two cycles, last week won a case before the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the Millionaire’s Amendment. The Millionaire’s Amendment is a provision in campaign finance law that allows opponents of self-funders to raise money with higher per-donor limits.

The law could have helped Powers raise more money once Davis put enough money into his campaign.

Davis only lost to Reynolds by four points in 2006, but he has been tagged as something of a lazy campaigner averse to pressing the flesh.

The DCCC said the decision was based on the fact that Powers has been the preeminent choice of several major unions and members of New York’s congressional delegation.

“Jon Powers will bring the leadership skills he used in Iraq to the issues facing western New York – bringing good paying jobs to the district and fighting to reduce gas prices for middle class families,” said DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.).

"We would be happy to comment, but we're too busy raising money," said Kryzan spokesman Mike Alfoni.

The primary is set for Sept. 9. The winner will likely face Republican businessman Chris Lee.

The DCCC has a policy of publicly staying out of primaries, but it has strayed from that in recent weeks, adding two other candidates facing tough primaries to its Red to Blue program.

New York City Councilman Mike McMahon won the support in the Staten Island district held by retiring Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.), and state Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick will have it in Arizona’s 1st district. Both face spirited but late primaries.