Stephen Graves for US Congress

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PRESS INFORMATION

Challenger Graves concedes the race to Ackerman but vows to fight on!

Republican challenger Stephen Graves called Congressman Gary Ackerman’s Bayside office today to concede the race for the 5^th Congressional seat.  The final results gave Congressman Ackerman 71% to Graves’ 29%.  While Graves received more votes than any other Republican challenger for any of the city’s congressional seats, it was not enough to overcome the significant difficulties for a first timer against a long time incumbent.  Even so, Mr. Graves sounded optimistic about the results, ““While the results were obviously not as good as we had hoped for, but considering its my first time running for office, our very limited resources and the vast Kerry effort for Democratic turnout in NYC, I think our team did a great job of building name recognition and alliances for the future.”

Mr. Graves spoke of the challenge of overcoming the Kerry effect.  “We saw at a few polling places where I would be beating him (Congressman Ackerman) on EDs and close on others and then there would be the one polling station that would be 300 to 60 in his favor, where the Democratic Party machine had targeted voters to help Kerry.”  Although the Bush team won nationwide, here in the city, the Kerry Edwards ticket had a resounding 80:20 advantage and even more in some areas.

“I really didn’t see anyone had a great loyalty for Gary Ackerman but this race was decided on the national level as the party was able to mobilize a lot of straight line voters.”

Mr. Graves came out swinging early against the long-time incumbent legislator but first had to win a rare Republican primary in Sept. which he did, with around 75% of the vote.  “It was hard having to use a lot of our resources just to fight a primary but in the end, I got a lot more publicity out of it and it solidified our base so it was really positive.  And after all”, he said with a grin, “it’s always nice to say that I won my first political race.”

Mr. Graves was also grateful for the Republican Party backing he received throughout the race.  “There are so many people to thank but obviously both Senator Maltese and Chairman Mondello and all the committee men and women who voted to back me, I’m really grateful for.  Also, I want to thank Phil Ragusa, Melin Tan and Nassau county district leaders who gathered my petitions for me, it’s a heck of a job.  I also want to thank Senator Padavan and Senator Balboni, neither of whom knew me before this race but really welcomed me and made me feel like I was part of the team.”

“Also, I think this race gave voters the opportunity to get to know me a bit more.  It’s hard when people are just hearing about you and certainly Ackerman has good name recognition.”

“While we may have lost this battle, the war is still on and certainly I will continue to fight to make sure that we get someone that will truly represent the values and concerns of our community.  I think that a lot of Republicans in our city are happy about the national race but rather discouraged by what keeps happening here at home.  Now its time to get back to basics, build the party and let Republicans know that that by working together we can make sure that our voice is heard.”

For Information Contact:

Chris 310-428-7099