New York's 25th district was a top target for Democrats even before Rep. Jim Walsh announced his retirement in January. Since winning the seat in 1988, Walsh faced his first serious challenge in 2006 against Democrat Dan Maffei, and barely survived with a 50.8%-49.2% victory. He was one of only eight Republican Congressmen to win a district carried by Kerry.

Maffei is running again this year, and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Rumors of a possible primary challenge by Syracuse Mayor Matthew Driscoll were ended recently when Driscoll announced he planned to serve out the remainder of his mayoral term, through 2009. On top of the fact that this year Maffei will not face a sitting incumbent spending twice as much as him, he should also benefit from a more-publicized struggling economy.

While a handful of Republicans have announced or are seriously considering a run for the nomination, former New York State Fair Director Peter Cappuccilli and Randy Wolken, president of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, are the early frontrunners. Cappuccilli, who announced his candidacy last month, is somewhat well-known in Syracuse's Onondaga County, where the annual State Fair takes place.

While Cappuccilli will likely base his campaign on his experience with local issues, Wolken will likely highlight his military and business background. Wolken, whose support will also be based in Onondaga County, said in his announcement speech, "I believe I have the breadth of experience that other people will have a tough time matching."

Maffei's campaign manager Dan Krupnick told Politics Nation that their campaign does not regard either Republican candidate as the frontrunner. Krupnick said Maffei will try to build on his support in the 2006 election in which he won Onondaga and Monroe counties, and the city of Syracuse 60%-40%, but lost Wayne and Northern Cayuga by enough points to evaporate his lead elsewhere.

The district runs from Syracuse to the northern suburbs of Rochester and is primarily composed of 4 major counties: Onondaga (Syracuse), Wayne (Rochester), Cayuga and Monroe. The 25th leans slightly Democratic giving Al Gore 51% and John Kerry 50% of the vote.

The Republicans' late entries to the race put them at a steep financial disadvantage to Maffei who after announcing his candidacy in April has raised a little over $520,000 with $440,000 on hand.

--Greg Bobrinskoy