Westchester Congresswoman Nita Lowey sent out an email to supporters yesterday asking for donations, and she cited two timely prospects as a reason for her backers to give: the prospect of Ms. Lowey’s district changing drastically, and the prospect that she could become chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee.
“With my esteem colleagues Norm Dicks’ announcement that he will retire I am waging a serious campaign for this prestigious position. And, when Democrats win back the Majority, I could be the first woman to Chair this powerful committee!” Ms. Lowey writes.
The 74-year-old lawmaker is fourth in line in terms of seniority behind Marcy Kaptur of Ohio (who just defeated Dennis Kucinich in a primary) and Peter Visclosky of Indiana.
Ms. Lowey makes plain however that she first must get through the redistricting process and notes that the uncertainty around the process may make her a target.
“This uncertainty about the make-up of my Congressional district along with my progressive leadership role could make me a prime target for new ultra-conservative SuperPACS, who can raise and spend unlimited funds to devastating political effect,” she writes.
Ms. Lowey’s district used to stretch down to the Bronx, but under the maps put out by the court earlier this week would put her in northern Westchester and all of Rockland County, and about half of her district would be new voters to her.
If Ms. Lowey does become chair of the Appropriations Committee, it would be a boon for her district since she will be able to shovel public projects there, and would be quite a turnabout for Ms. Lowey. In 2000, she was passed over as a replacement for Sen. Patrick Moynihan for Hillary Clinton, and has been dogged by retirement rumors in recent years.
Full email is below:
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