GOP Primary for Upstate House Seat

The Republican primary election for an upstate congressional seat on Tuesday features a self-funded businessman and a former political staffer getting funding from conservative backers.

Matthew Doheny, a lawyer and investment manager, has lost twice to Democrat Bill Owens in what had long been a GOP stronghold. Before Owens’ surprise decision not to seek re-election, Elise Stefanik — a Harvard graduate who worked on President George W. Bush’s staff — said she would seek the GOP nomination and gathered local support.

Then Doheny announced another bid, setting off what has become a bitter primary marked by ballot challenges, claims of carpetbagging and a flood of Super PAC support for Stefanik.

Doheny, 43, and Stefanik, 29, hold similar positions. But they spar over residency, with Doheny pointing out that Stefanik grew up in Albany, while Stefanik pointed to Doheny’s career on Wall Street.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the June 24th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.