Former CNN anchor John Avlon declared his candidacy to challenge Republican Rep. Nick LaLota for New York’s 1st Congressional District seat on Wednesday, joining a crowded field of Democratic contenders.
In a video shared on social media Wednesday morning, Avlon, a Democrat, criticized LaLota for aligning himself with former President Donald Trump’s “MAGA minions” in the House and expressed concern for the state of democracy.
“We need to build the broadest possible coalition to defeat Donald Trump, defend our democracy, and win back the House from his MAGA minions who don’t even seem interested in solving problems anymore. Together, we can flip this seat. Together, we can rebuild the middle class, invest in infrastructure, protect women’s reproductive freedoms, and combat climate change. Democrats can’t afford to lose this fight,” Avlon stated in his announcement video.
Avlon brings substantial media connections to his campaign, having previously worked for CNN and served as the former editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast. His wife, Margaret Hoover, is presently the host of PBS’s Firing Line.
Joining a competitive Democratic primary, Avlon becomes the fifth candidate vying for the nomination.
Others include State Sen. James Gaughran, former Stony Brook University chemistry department chair Nancy Goroff, former congressional staffer Kyle Hill, and former New York City administrative law judge Craig Herskowitz, as reported by Newsday.
