The Case for Cox
Politico is reporting today that NY-1 GOP congressional hopeful Chris Cox, son of NY GOP State Chair Ed Cox and the grandson of Richard Nixon, has lost several of his advisors – most of whom worked with him on the McCain campaign. This blow to the campaign doesn’t seem to spell out well for Cox, who has already been scrutinized for his Manhattan upbringing and familial connections. Since the GOP congressional primary doesn’t occur until September, the move has left Cox with a lot to prove this summer.
Cox “came late to the crowded seven-way primary field, where some candidates had been raising money and working the field far in advance of this year.” His competition includes former SEC lawyer George Demos. He has ties to “the Pataki administration and is being run by former Pataki adviser Rob Cole – of the Shawmut Group, which just ran the successful Senate campaign of Scott Brown [….] and senior Giuliani adviser Jake Menges.” Also in the race is Randy Altschuler, “who has adviser Rob Ryan and well-known pollster John McLaughlin advising him – veterans of the Doug Hoffman race in the 23rd Congressional District.” They are all vying to run against Tim Bishop, a Democrat and seven-year incumbent in what is traditionally considered a “swing district.” Polling suggests that this year may serve as the best opportunity for anyone on the GOP ticket to seize the congressional seat in the Hamptons.
The GOP of NY-1 would be silly to dismiss Cox as a viable candidate in the fall though. Cox, a thirty-one year old Princeton-educated lawyer who has had familial ties to the area for hundreds of years, could prove himself as a viable asset to the Party in the fall. Cox’s name has the potential to turn this race into a big-money national election with donors from across the nation. His clean-cut demeanor and access to virtually bottomless private sector pockets should ensure a measure of transparency and, hopefully, a particular ability to avert special interests. A young man with an interest in preserving his future with the GOP, I’m sure Cox has an agenda for vocally taking on the statist policies of the Obama administration on the floor of the House. I hope he has the opportunity.