The DCCC vs. AJS

In the most recent poll released this past Monday (9/20/10) by Sierra Research Institute incumbent Michael Arcuri (D) is still leading his rival Richard Hanna (R) 48% to 40%.  Both candidates ran uncontested in the September 14^th primary elections.  As November rolls ever closer both Arcuri and Hanna are receiving support from outside organizations.

According to Paul Herrnson in Congressional Elections, “Party committees distribute most of their campaign support to candidates in close elections.”  Such is evident by the video that has just been released by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The video smears Richard Hanna saying he supported an organization with an agenda to privatize social security and even linked his investments to companies that were involved in the BP oil spill disaster. 

However Arcuri is not the only one with some backing from an organization.  According to thedailystar.com Americans for Job Security (AJS), a Virginia-based lobbying organization, has launched a $375,000 television campaign against Arcuri.

The ad urged voters not to vote for Arcuri stating that he voted in favor for the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 and he voted with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nine times out of ten.  In response to the ad Arcuri’s campaign press secretary Jeb Fain called AJS, “a Washington GOP special interest group dedicated to unfair trade.”

With recent polls consistently showing in favor of Arcuri and with the tight race that occurred between the two contestants in 2008 it looks like the support of these organizations could really make the difference between who wins this race.