Tenney On Congressional Run And Possible Replacement For Assembly Seat

New York Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney will make another bid for the state's 22nd District Congressional seat, saying this time around she's giving herself ample time to campaign and raise funds.

When she challenged Republican Richard Hanna in 2014, Tenney - a lawyer and small business owner -  didn't announce until late March, leaving a mere three months to campaign before New York's June primary date for federal races. With more than seven months to go before the June 2016 primary, Tenney is now the first out of the gate. Incumbent Hanna, a business owner himself, has not officially announced his intention to seek a fourth-term and has offered no comment on Tenney's announcement this week.

Joining WIBX First News with Keeler on Wednesday, Tenney chastised Hanna saying he doesn't represent the beliefs of the 'conservative' 22nd district, including members of the Tea Party.

''Of all the people, I supported him in 2008 and 2010 because I said we've got someone whose got the money. He's going to stand up to these super-PACs, because he's got the money he doesn't need them,'' Tenney said. ''Richard loves to take shots at the Tea Party, but they're the people who got him elected. The original meaning of the Tea Party was Taxed Enough Already...Constitutional issues matter to them. I think that's where they feel they've been betrayed.''

Tenney has also objected to Hanna's assertion that Congressional Benghazi investigations have been designed to target Democratic presidential candidate, and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. In a previous interview on the Keeler Show which came in the wake of Hanna's comment about the ongoing probe, Tenney rhetorically suggested Hanna change parties.

When Tenney lost the GOP primary to Hanna in 2014, she decided to seek re-election to her Assembly district, fending off a Republican challenge from Herkimer County Sheriff Chris Farber. Tenney said she hasn't decided if she'd seek re-election if her congressional bid is again unsuccessful, but said she's had a dozen or more inquiries from potential candidates interested in running for her assembly seat.

The sprawling 101st-Assembly District touches portions of seven counties, as far south as Orange, some 3:30 hours from Tenney's New Hartford home on the north-end of the ward in Oneida County. That geographic anatomy can not only take a toll on one's vehicle, but also comes with a built-in, high-wire act. The concerns and interests of upstate and downstate residents can often conflict - whether it be hydro-fracking, equitable school funding or gun laws.

In discussing the 101st, Tenney said the largest population center is Montgomery, in Orange County, but said New Hartford has the largest number of registered Republicans.