A hardliner on illegal immigration is emerging as another potential challenger to Democratic Rep. Timothy Bishop. The latest hopeful, James M. Staudenraus, 52, of Shelter Island, last month filed a lawsuit with the conservative legal group Judicial Watch to stop Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s since-abandoned plan to let illegal immigrants get drivers’ licenses. “You can’t have homeland security until you have border security,” said Staudenraus, echoing his declared model, Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford).
Staudenraus, involved in a family fine-linen business, is on the board of advisors of Coalition for Safe Drivers Licenses and is an advisor to 9/11 Families for a Secure America. “He has a history with the issue and I think that makes him a viable candidate,” said Jerry Lareau, the Shelter Island GOP leader. “He also has a presence.”
Suffolk GOP officials started screening early for a candidate. Party officials interviewed lawyer and recent Army vet Lee Zeldin, who served in the Mideast and who has already announced his intention to run and begun raising money. Harry Withers, Suffolk GOP chairman, said Zelden showed a “lot of energy...a game plan...and has his act together.” Officials are checking if Kathleen “K.T.” McFarland, who ran for U.S. Senate last year, is interested. Bishop, seeking a fourth term, won re-election with increasing margins. As of Sept. 30 he had a campaign fund of $700,000. His aide Jon Schneider said “Tim Bishop continues to work hard to represent constituents” and “has lots of support in the community.”
Rick Brand
Comments (2)
I think Rep Bishop is doing a great job representing his district,however I'm a big believer in a the term limit.Elected Officials should give new people a chance .Every incumbent should only run for three terms.
You have got to be kidding me....
K.T. McFarland mentioned???
I told K.T. (And I was right), that she was being used by the "Upper East & West Siders" of the GOP in Manhattan. You know the "Tea Totters & Wine Sippers" who are completely out of touch with the rest of the State GOP. K.T. McFarland was not a candidate for real, she was use. This is the same group who show up at the Hamptons in the summer.
KT saw "Black Flying Helicopters who were trying to spy on her" and She admitted to curled up on her couch at night to cry. (Her words not mine)
She had Ed Rollins (Now a B list manager) run her campaign which lost to my candidate. K.T. lost to Mayor John Spencer in the primary last year. If the Tea Totters are at it again with selection, they will lose.
Jim Kelly -NY Conservative Campaigns