Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Putnam's Ball eyes congressional seat, but awaits party's decision
Gannett News Service

CARMEL - Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Carmel, is unhappy with President Bush, thinks Mitt Romney should be the next president and says he has "a vision for America."

However, the freshman state legislator is undecided on whether he wants to be in Albany or in Washington in 2009.

"My focus right now is re-election (to the Assembly)," Ball, 30, said last week. "But I am speaking with the National Republican Congressional Committee and party leaders. I want to make sure we win the congressional seat back."

He was referring to the 19th Congressional District, which covers Putnam County and parts of Westchester, Dutchess, Rockland and Orange counties. When Ball won his seat in November 2006, voters selected Democrat John Hall over six-term Republican Sue Kelly. Both seats are up in 2008, and by "the first of the year," Ball said, he will decide which office to seek.

"I do intend to run for the congressional seat. The question is when," said Ball, adding he was "waiting for the national party to make a (financial) commitment" to his congressional candidacy.

It's no secret national Republicans are mobilizing against Hall, of Dover. Republican strategist Karl Rove put him on a list of the top 20 House Democrats to unseat in 2008. The National Republican Congressional Committee has officially targeted Hall as one of the Democrats in the Northeast to defeat. What's not clear is who will carry the GOP banner in that fight.

The national Republican committee favored Katonah businessman Andrew Saul. But the multimillionaire pulled out last month, citing personal reasons. So far, Kieran Michael Lalor of Peekskill is the only Republican to announce his bid.

Veteran not impressed

Lalor, a 31-year-old Iraq war veteran, said he admired some of Ball's actions but characterized him as a "one-trick pony" focused on illegal immigration. He said he had expected a primary with Saul, so one with Ball isn't a problem.

"(Saul) forced us to really think about a grassroots, five-county plan to win a primary," said Lalor, who served in the Marine Corps. "There's not a person on the planet who's given more thought to defeating John Hall than me."

A Hall spokeswoman shrugged off talk of opponents.

"Regardless of who his opponent is, congressman Hall will keep doing what he has been doing since he came to Congress last January, which is to work hard to be an accessible and accountable representative for the people of the 19th District," spokeswoman Meaghan Smith said.

Both Ball and Lalor said they had spoken with the National Republican Congressional Committee. They have also reached out to state Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long, who said it was too early to comment.

"I don't think we've heard from all the candidates," Long said.

Ken Spain, a committee spokesman, didn't return messages about the race. The committee this year has paid out almost $68,000 in opposition to Hall, according to federal records.

A former Air Force officer and one-time development company executive, Ball officially kicked off his campaign for the Assembly in May 2005 - 17 months before the general election. He said he is ready for another state run, with a campaign Web site, yard signs and potential office space.

"I love being the assemblyman. The seven towns I represent, we're making a difference," Ball said. "It wasn't my intention to get elected to the Assembly and run for Congress two years later."

What's prompted him, he said, is a lack of attention to homeland security and a president who is leaving a legacy of "fear mongering." Security money should be used to protect New York City and Washington, not buses in Colorado or strip malls in North Dakota, Ball said. The country's borders need to be secured, he added.

In addition to money, Ball said he wants "a strong, viable Republican candidate" running for his Assembly seat if he runs for Congress. He declined to speculate on who that could be.

Lalor echoed Ball's sentiment on the future of the 99th Assembly District seat.

"Republicans need to take ground and hold ground. Why put that Assembly seat up to risk?" Lalor said. "Besides, a Marine and someone from the Air Force? It wouldn't be a fair fight."