By Tom Grace
Cooperstown News Bureau
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Rep. Michael Arcuri is attempting to mend fences with local Democrats disappointed he didn't vote for health insurance reform.
After supporting a version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act late last year, Arcuri, D-Utica, voted against an altered bill last month, saying it didn't go far enough to control costs for people who are already insured.
Arcuri had been a proponent of a public insurance option, which he said would restrain premiums charged by corporate insurers. In the days leading up to the vote, he also advocated taking a gradual approach to improving health insurance options rather than the more sweeping bill favored by other Democrats.
Against unified Republican opposition, the reform bill barely cleared the House, although ultimately it was signed into law by President Barack Obama.
Had the bill fallen short in the House, killing the reform, local Democrats might have been angrier with Arcuri, according to Edward Lentz, chairman of Otsego County's Democratic Committee.
As it was, Otsego County's Democratic Committee contacted the congressman and asked him to explain his vote, Lentz said.
"He met with us a couple of weeks ago and basically told us what he's said publicly — that he worries the reform is not going to control premium costs," Lentz said Tuesday.
After hearing Arcuri's explanation, some committee members were less frustrated, Lentz said.
"It was a big vote, and we wish we'd had him with us, but it's still one vote among many," he said.
First elected in 2006, Arcuri won a close re-election bid two years ago. His opponent, Richard Hanna of Barneveld, is running for the seat again, and in the first quarter of 2010 raised more money than Arcuri, a rarity for a challenger.
Days before the numbers were official, Hanna acknowledged his campaign was on its way to a good quarter, noting in an e-mail to The Daily Star, "It's gratifying to see there is excitement and support for someone who is connected to their concerns and brings real life experience."
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Hanna, who opened his campaign in late January, raised $394,857 and had $357,890 on hand as of March 31.
Arcuri raised about $208,000 in the same period. According to the CRP, he has raised $912,323 this election cycle and had $493,071 on hand as of March 31.
The incumbent has yet to launch his 2010 campaign officially, a fact that the National Republican Congressional Committee said is cause for an Arcuri "retirement watch."
Asked about this Tuesday, Carolyn Ehrlich, an aide in Arcuri's re-election campaign, said the incumbent is focused on his job, not the campaign.
"Congressman Arcuri's focus is on repairing the economy, investing in our infrastructure to create jobs and cracking down on abusive Wall Street practices," she said.
Later this year, there will be plenty of time for campaigning, Ehrlich said.
Also running in this race is Logan Bell of Trumansburg, a member of the Constitutional Party, who is seeking the Republican nomination. No information about his campaign's finances was listed by the Center for Responsive Politics.
