By Hunter Walker 6/01/12 9:00am

Acid Trip

Dr. Richard Becker (Photo: Facebook)

Opponent Demands Congresswoman Hayworth Fire Spokesman After ‘Acid Attack’ Comments

Richard Becker, the Cortlandt town councilman and cardiologist who is running against Republican Congresswoman Nan Hayworth demanded she fire her campaign spokesman, Jay Townsend, following comments he made on the Facebook page of a local Democrat activist saying, “let’s hurl some acid at those female democratic Senators who won’t abide the mandates they want to impose on the private sector.” According to Mr. Becker described Mr. Townsend’s comments as “indefensible” and said it is “just mind boggling” Ms. Hayworth did not “instantly fire him.”

“With every minute ‘No Comment’ Nan refuses to take a stand, she takes on responsibility for Jay’s hateful and hurtful remarks,” Mr. Becker said. “Refusing to take a stand now and fire Townsend would permanently mark Nan as unfit to hold public office and unworthy of the public’s trust.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 3/22/12 2:35pm

Fighting Words

Richard Becker (Photo: Facebook)

Richard Becker Says Nan Hayworth Has ‘Plenty Of Chutzpah’

Democratic Congressional candidate Richard Becker, who is running against Republican Nan Hayworth for her seat in the 19th district, issued a statement today slamming Ms. Hayworth for claiming to have a moderate voting record on Capitol Tonight yesterday while supporting the Medicare overhaul plan proposed by the GOP’s top budget writer, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan.

“Claiming to be a moderate on the same day that the profoundly radical Ryan Plan was re-released takes plenty of Chutzpah,” Mr. Becker said. Read More

By Hunter Walker 3/06/12 11:45am

battle lines

Rep. Nan Hayworth (Photo: Getty)

Hayworth Challengers React To Special Master’s Redistricting Proposal

Democrat Dr. Richard Becker isn’t going to let a little thing like Congressional lines stop his plans to challenge Republican Congresswoman Nan Hayworth. If the draft maps released this morning by the special master are put into place, Dr. Becker will no longer live in Ms. Hayworth’s district, but he’s ready to move if he must.

“For the last three decades, I’ve been practicing medicine and building small businesses throughout the Hudson Valley. With the release of today’s draft Congressional maps from the special master, it appears I’ll be moving a couple minutes down the road,” Dr. Becker said in a statement. “I’ve been a part of our community for over thirty years and I fully intend to represent us in Congress. I am in this campaign to win it, and am certain that we will replace ‘No Comment Nan’ with a real leader who’ll represent us instead of the party bosses and financial elites.”

Wappingers Falls Mayor Matt Alexander also plans to challenge Ms. Hayworth. His campaign manager, TJ Helmstetter, released a statement describing Mr. Alexander as the “only Democratic candidate in the race who lives in the district and has reported fundraising to date.” It doesn’t look like Mr. Alexander will have the district all to himself in the end, but Mr. Helmstetter still thinks the proposed maps give his man the edge.  Read More

By David Freedlander 2/03/12 3:39pm

Congress

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Becker Says He Is The Front-runner To Take On Hayworth

Richard Becker, a Westchester cardiologist and county legislator sent out an email to supporters crowing that he is now the front-runner in the Democratic primary for the right to take on Nan Hayworth for the Hudson Valley congressional seat.

“Our campaign raised nearly $230,000 – four times as much as our nearest competitior, and it’s all thanks to you,” Mr. Becker wrote. “Both the Journal News and the Times Herald Record were buzzing about our new front-runner status. I cannot thank you enough for your hard work and dedication that have gotten us this far.” Read More

By David Freedlander 10/14/11 12:50pm

2012

Becker Reports $100K+ On Hand

Westchester lawmaker Richard Becker announced today that he had $107,000 in cash on hand for his race against Republican congresswoman Nan Hayworth.

While that seems like a hefty haul, it is dwarfed by the money that Ms. Hayworth has raised. Earlier this week Liz reported that she pulled in $319,000 this quarter, and has $890,000 on hand. Plus, Mr. Becker pulled in only $64,000 from donors this quarter, and supplemented his fundraising numbers with $50,000 of his own money. Read More