Staff Report
The executive committee of the New York State Independence Party has endorsed Republican Richard Hanna for the 24th Congressional District seat.
Hanna, a contractor who lives in the town of Otsego, is running for Congress against incumbent Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica.
Arcuri received the group's backing in 2006 when he won election to the seat held by longtime Republican Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford, who retired. Arcuri faced then-state Sen. Raymond Meier, R-Western, in that election.
The 24th Congressional District consists of all or parts of 11 counties _ Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins.
"Richard Hanna brings to the congressional race both the experience and the vision that America needs. He is a true independent _ willing to stand up for people rather than placing a priority on party," said Doreen St. Thomas, chairwoman of the Independence Party screening committee, in a news release.
Independence Party and nonaffiliated voters in the 24th District total nearly 93,000, according to the state Board of Elections.
