After being pushed out of the district by the former chair of the national Democratic campaign apparatus, Mondaire Jones now has their institutional backing as he tries to unseat Rep. Mike Lawler.
Rebecca C. Lewis | City & State NY | Jan. 29, 2024
Former Rep. Mondaire Jones may not have been the pick of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the past, but this year, he’s in the group’s first round of candidates in its so-called Red to Blue program. It’s a sign that the party views him as a top-tier candidate capable of flipping a Republican seat blue.
Every election cycle, the DCCC selects candidates it views as having viable paths forward to win seats currently held by Republicans, or to keep a competitive open seat Democratic, for its Red to Blue program. Selection indicates that the party will invest time and energy into the race, in addition to serving as an indication of the perceived strength of the campaign.
Jones, who represented the Hudson Valley in Congress for one term before losing his seat to redistricting in 2022, is part of the first round of candidates for 2024 as Democrats attempt to win back control of the House. The DCCC cited Jones’ fundraising and support within the 17th Congressional District currently held by freshman GOP Rep. Mike Lawler. “Mondaire Jones was an integral part of our historic work last Congress to grow the middle class and protect our freedoms,” said DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene in a statement. “He is in a strong position to flip New York’s 17th Congressional District after Mike Lawler has repeatedly turned a blind eye to Republican extremism even when it hurts Lower Hudson Valley families.”
Jones welcomed the support of the DCCC, seeing it as a reflection of the strength of his campaign….
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