Visiting my native Syracuse, NY a few weeks back, I was shocked to turn on the TV and see nine-term Republican incumbent Jim Walsh running campaign ads. I was even more surprised when a family member told me his opponent, former Democratic Congressional aide and Syracuse native Dan Maffei, had been running an ad campaign of his own for weeks.  Days later, Maffei's only viable competition, Paloma Capanna (D), dropped out of the race, all but guaranteeing a head-to-head matchup between Walsh and Maffei in November.  

Returning to D.C. after my trip up north, I began to notice growing mainstream buzz over the race--DCCC Chair Rahm Emanuel's fundraising trip to Syracuse, coverage in The Hill and CQ, and support from Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe and NY AG-turned gubernatorial frontrunner Eliot Spitzer have all contributed to Maffei's growing national profile.  

As today's filing deadline comes and goes, I'm struck by the possibility that Democrats have a shot in winning back the 25th District. With $176K cash on hand, Maffei has far out-raised previous Walsh challengers (Walsh won with 91% of the vote in 2004 and currently has $502K COH), and has begun to receive the kind of national attention others have sorely lacked. More important, Maffei has made some direct hits on Walsh's record. Tackling job loss, dwindling numbers of college grads returning home, and an embarrassing lack of funding for the Syracuse's public school system, Maffei stands ready to give Walsh a run for his money.    

Walsh's unprecedented $100 K in June ads prove he's nervous about the safety of his seat--and Maffei is doing everything he can to point out Republican failures at home and throughout the country. While I'm in no way affiliated with the Maffei campaign, the growing buzz around it is proof that we should be paying attention. It's time for a fresh face--and some new ideas--in NY-25.  Dan Maffei just might be the person to turn things around for Syracuse.