Thursday, April 5, 2007

Iraq vet eyes Hall challenge
By David Paulsen

An Iraq war veteran and outspoken supporter of the war on terrorism is considering a run for Congress in the 19th District.

Kieran Michael Lalor, a 31-year-old Peekskill resident, announced Wednesday he had raised $20,000 in campaign cash in March through an exploratory committee, an early step toward seeking the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. John Hall in 2008.

"The early support for my candidacy is confirmation that voters in the district are excited to embrace a true conservative," Lalor said in announcing his fundraising results.

Hall, a Democrat from Dover, defeated incumbent Republican Sue Kelly of Katonah in November to win his first two-year term in Congress. The race was one of several across the country that helped Democrats take back both houses of Congress, partly because of public dissatisfaction with the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq.

Lalor said "anti-war liberals" are undermining the war effort.

"Each day, more 19th District voters are convinced that someone with a first-hand understanding of the threats and challenges our nation faces should represent them in Congress," he said.

Hall spokesman Tom Staudter declined to comment on Lalor's potential candidacy.

"The congressman is at this point very much concerned with doing his job," Staudter said. "Serving his constituents is utmost on his mind."

Lalor, a native of Wappingers Falls, spent six years in the Marine Corps and served as a reservist in Iraq. His sister worked in the World Trade Center and narrowly survived the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to Lalor's Web site, www.kml2008.com

He founded the Eternal Vigilance Society to support the war on terrorism and is wrapping up a law degree this year from Pace University.