New York - 24th District
Incumbent --
Michael Arcuri (D)
; Defeated by Richard Hanna, R, in general election on November 2, 2010
Tossup
Updated Oct. 14, 2010
This will be another key battleground for Democrats, who expect to spend heavily to defend their sophomore incumbent.
In a rematch of the 2008 contest, Arcuri faces businessman Richard Hanna (R) in this right-leaning central New York district, which President Barack Obama narrowly carried.
Arcuri survived a late charge from Hannah last time by just 4 points. And while an independent poll gave Arcuri an 8-point lead in mid-September, Democrats say they're not taking anything for granted in an environment that is much less favorable than last time.
Even though Arcuri reported a fundraising advantage at the end of the summer, the DCCC has reserved more than $750,000 in the district, which includes the Syracuse and Utica media markets.
Democrats think they're in a good position, but they have a healthy respect for Hanna and his bank account. The candidate has shown a willingness to self-fund and is expected to do so down the stretch if necessary. Look for national Republicans to get in on the action as well.
District Information
District Profile from Politics in America
The J-shaped 24th starts at the western edge of the Adirondack Mountains, sweeps through the central part of the state -- south of Syracuse and north of Binghamton -- and extends into the Finger Lakes region. In the heart of the Leatherstocking Region made famous by James Fenimore Cooper, the area is known for its rich history and depends on dairy farming and local colleges.
Much of the 24th's central region is full of small-size towns that endure harsh winters and enjoy mild summers, and whose economies revolve around the farming seasons. These areas become crowded with visitors on fall foliage tours and trips to cider mills. The district hosts the Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Stone Casino in Verona and also boasts the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in Utica.
In the west, the 24th is home to other historical gems, including the site of the 1848 Women's Rights Convention and the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls. This area is the gateway to the Finger Lakes, which, among other things, attract wine connoisseurs to dozens of wineries.
The 24th's main population center can be found in Oneida County. Oneida's Utica and Rome are aging industrial cities on the Mohawk River that suffered as manufacturing jobs left the state.
Environmental issues are important here, but voters are Yankee Republicans. Despite a GOP voter registration edge in the district, Democrat Barack Obama narrowly won the 24th's 2008 presidential vote (50 percent).
MAJOR INDUSTRY
Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, service
CITIES
Utica, 62,235; Rome, 33,725; Auburn, 27,687
NOTABLE
Francis Bellamy, author of the Pledge of Allegiance, is buried in Rome.
District Election History
| Year |
Election |
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
| 2010 |
general |
Richard Hanna (R) |
101,599 |
53% |
| Michael Arcuri (D) |
89,809 |
46.8% |
| 2008 |
general |
Michael Arcuri (D, WFM) |
130,799 |
52% |
| Richard Hanna (R, INDC, C) |
120,880 |
48% |
| 2006 |
general |
Michael Arcuri (D, INDC, WFM) |
109,686 |
53.9% |
| Ray Meier (R, C) |
91,504 |
45% |
| Michael Sylvia (LIBERT) |
2,134 |
1% |
| 2004 |
general |
Sherwood Boehlert (R, INDC) |
143,000 |
56.9% |
| Jeffrey Miller (D) |
85,140 |
33.9% |
| David Walrath (C) |
23,228 |
9.2% |
| 2002 |
general |
Sherwood Boehlert (R) |
108,017 |
70.7% |
| David Walrath (C) |
32,991 |
21.6% |
| Mark Dunau (GREEN) |
6,660 |
4.4% |
| Kathleen Peters (RTL) |
5,109 |
3.3% |
Vote For President
| Year |
Democrat |
Republican |
Independent |
| 2008 |
Barack Obama: 50% |
John McCain: 48% |
|
| 2004 |
John Kerry: 46% |
George W. Bush: 52% |
|
| 2000 |
Al Gore: 48% |
George W. Bush: 48% |
|
