Republicans are having a heck of a time finding someone to run for the NY-25 House seat being vacated by the retiring Jim Walsh.
Walsh, who narrowly beat Dan Maffei in 2006 and later told the Syracuse press that he was "disappointed in the people of Syracuse," announced he was retiring earlier this year.
The GOP was counting on former State Fair Dirctor Peter Cappuccelli to run for the seat, but he unexpexpectedly withdrew this week.
The GOP's back-up candidate, Randy Wolken, president of the Manufacturer's Association of Central New York, has also said he doesn't want to run. His reason? Same one given by Rep Tom Reynolds (NY-26) when he announced his retirement last week--He wants to "spend more time with his family."
Third-string candidates who may (or may not) be interested are former Republican State Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffmann, Assembly Deputy Minority Leader Bob Oaks, and Syracuse City Councilor Ryan McMahon.
Only Hoffmann is very well-known, and as a former Democrat who switched parties in 1998 and then lost her bid for reelection in 2004, she isn't particularly well-liked by Republicans or Democrats.
Dan Maffei has raised over $500,000 for the race.
Walsh laughed and said no when he was asked Wednesday if he might cancel his retirement.
Smart. He can spend more time with his family.