Having a recognizable name holds great significance for individuals seeking political office. When voters are already familiar with a candidate, that aspiring politician has already achieved a significant advantage. In an attempt to leverage her achievements as a renowned athlete, a fresh contender for a congressional seat, Sarah Hughes, aims to channel her success towards serving her country in a new capacity.
According to a campaign spokesperson, it was officially announced on May 16 that Sarah Hughes is pursuing a seat representing New York’s 4th District. As a Democrat, her objective is to challenge the incumbent, Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R), who is currently serving his first term.
Olympic figure skating champion Sarah Hughes has filed to run for Congress in her native New York state, a spokesperson for her campaign confirmed Tuesday. https://t.co/RLV6UvayP3
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 17, 2023
Max Kramer, the spokesperson, conveyed that Hughes has deep roots in Long Island, being both born and raised there. She holds genuine concerns about the nation’s trajectory, encompassing issues such as escalating prices, public safety, gun violence, and women’s health threats. Hughes aspires to enact meaningful change and address the matters she deems significant.
Following her victory in winning the Olympic gold medal in Salt Lake City in 2002, Sarah Hughes pursued a career in law. She gained professional experience as an associate at Proskauer Rose in Manhattan. However, in her recent endeavors, she made the decision to leave her position and embark on further academic pursuits at Stanford University, focusing on graduate degrees in education and business.
Max Kramer, the spokesperson, mentioned that Hughes is expected to make a formal announcement in the upcoming weeks. As of now, she has taken the initial step of filing the necessary paperwork to initiate her candidacy.
In the race for the Democratic nomination of the same seat, Sarah Hughes faces competition from other candidates. Laura Gillen, who previously ran but was unsuccessful in the last election, is also vying for the position. Gillen, a legislator with local roots, was defeated by Anthony D’Esposito, a former New York Police Department detective, by a margin of four points.
Additionally, Patricia Maher, a lawyer, and Lawrence Patrick Henry, who ran for the House of Representatives in 2014, are also in the running to secure the Democratic nomination for the district.
The Democratic Party holds aspirations of reclaiming control of the House of Representatives from the Republicans in the upcoming 2024 elections.
