Democrat Sean Eldridge, the husband of Facebook co-founder and editor-in-chief and publisher of the New Republic Chris Hughes, announced on Sunday night that he is running for Congress.
Eldridge announced that he was running for New York’s 19th district in a web video posted on his campaign website.
“Right now the voices of every day New Yorkers are being drowned out by the special interests and party politics, causing gridlock in Washington. We need an independent voice who will fight for us,” Eldridge said in the video.
Expect the race to be competitive against Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY). According to the Albany Times-Union, Eldridge has already invested $215,000 in his campaign.
In the video, Eldridge vows to fight budget cuts to Medicare and Social Security. He also touted businesses that his investment fund, Hudson River Ventures, loaned money to.
“We all know that we need to grow our economy and I know first hand what it takes to support small businesses and create good jobs,” Eldridge said.
Eldridge’s announcement has been expected. He has been suggesting a run for some time now and Republicans had already begun attacking him in anticipation of Eldridge formally entering the race. Also, earlier in the year Hughes and Eldridge bought a home in the district.
“I’m running for Congress because I know that we can do better. I hope that you’ll join me,” Eldridge concludes in the web video.
