Politico reported on Wednesday that Michael Caputo is eyeing a run for New York’s 27th Congressional District, a seat that’s held by Rep. Chris Collins. Collins is a longtime supporter of the President and was the first Congressman to endorse him.
But Collins ability to continue to serve in Congress has been brought into question due to being indicted in August 2018 on charges of insider trading and lying to the FBI. He maintains his innocence, but it’s opened the door to a Republican challenger.
Michael Caputo is a prominent political strategist and media consultant who worked for the Trump campaign in 2016.
“I’ve never before wanted to run for public office, but I’m considering this seriously,” Caputo told Politico.
“If Rep. Collins will not run, or cannot win, I cannot allow this seat to go to someone who has not supported the president 100 percent, from the beginning, in their bones.”
Trump loyalists see the writing on the wall, and are looking for a viable alternative to Collins.
Republican New York State Senator Chris Jacobs entered the race last week, but he’s not viewed as a strong supporter of the President. Collins already called Jacobs out in a fundraising email for being a NeverTrumper.
A website with the address Draftcaputo.com emerged this week. The homepage reads, “Michael Caputo is a winner. With incumbent Republican Congressman Chris Collins being prosecuted for allegations of insider trading, a major backer of President Donald Trump will likely have to leave Congress. His district, NY-27, is one of the most pro-Trump seats in the House of Representatives. Already, Nevertrump Republicans and Resistance Democrats are lining up to run for his seat.”
Caputo weighed in on Facebook with a post that read, “Supporters from across the country and right here in NY27 are putting together a draft campaign. I’m listening.”
If Caputo does decide to enter the race, he would be a force to be reckoned with. Trump supporters in NY27 clearly already have his back, and the President himself certainly wouldn’t mind a strong ally in Congress.
