Arcuri Remains Without an Opponent

As if it’s not already evident, it appears for certain that Rep. Michael Arcuri will run for re-election unopposed or without any significant opposition next year. National Republicans have talked a good game about retaking the 24th District seat, but they’ve done virtually nothing to recruit a candidate with less than a year to go before the election. Here’s a report from The Hill today:

The NRCC said in late September that it would have challengers emerge in five specific top-targeted districts within a few weeks, but so far only one of those races has a nationally recruited challenger officially in the race.

Republicans have successfully recruited former Rep. Mike Sodrel (R-Ind.) against Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), but they remain without top-flight challengers against Reps. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), John Barrow (D-Ga.), David Loebsack (D-Iowa) and Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.).

Money will be one of the most significant factors in the race. Arcuri has proven he can be a savvy fundraiser, and with the National Republican Congressional Committee struggling financially under the direction of Rep. Tom Cole, a GOP candidate would almost certainly be expected to help foot a large portion of the bill. Here’s what the New York Daily News reported about Arcuri last month:

Rep. Mike Arcuri, 24th CD, the third Democratic freshman who took a GOP-held seat last fall, ranks 97th in fundraising. He raised $628,005, spent $205,308 and has $458,203 on hand. Arcuri’s unsuccessful opponent, former Republican state Sen. Ray Meier, zeroed out his congressional campaign committee after raising $18,128 and spending $21,359.

It’s a well-known rule that once a member of Congress wins two elections, it’s virtually impossible to pry him from his seat — until retirement or death. In the case of Arcuri, the best we can hope for is a run for higher office.